So, I've decided to redo my blog. I changed the title, redid the look, and am going to be changing the content slightly. The main thing that I wanted to bring notice to is the title, "A Servant in the Making." I chose this because I believe this is the time of life that I am in right now. God has called me to be in ministry, but before that gets to happen, I believe that there needs to be a form of submission that has to occur from me. I need to realize that I am "not all that and a bag of chips" when it comes to a worship leader. This is where the servant part comes in.
The Greek word, doulos, means a slave or servant. In essence, this is someone who sacrifices all of their right's and will to another person. This word caught my eye a while back and has slowly been making its way to the forefront of my thinking of my relationship with Christ. What would happen if I lived my life through the eyes of a servant? No rights of my own, but everything that I did would be to bring glory to my Savior. Just like with a modern day employee, how they act reflects the attitude and values of the company and their employers. It's the same with a slave or servant. How they act, what they say, and what they don't say is a direct reflection of their master's values.
Well, there's the servant definition of my title, but what about the "in the making"? This is because I am far from that point of surrendering all my right's to God. I'll openly admit that. But I'm making a conscious effort to move forward towards that, hence the ongoing process to become that person that Jesus would look at and say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."
I don't want this post to be long. Short and sweet. Just wanting to say what has been going on in my life and to invite you to take these steps with me of sacrificing who you are to bring glory to the One who is and is to come.
Blessings.
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Is Christianity Wrong?
Sitting in my New Testament Survey class at Cornerstone University just a couple of weeks ago, my professor raised the question "Is Christianity Jesus' religion or is it Paul's religion?" Much to my chagrin, my professor quickly glanced over this question and moved on to the next topic. I think this is a topic that we could spend an entire semester on, not just a few minutes and then move on to the next book of the Bible! This is a critical question for anyone to think about, especially someone like myself who has dedicated their life to ministry.
So what's the answer?
The New Testament has the first four books dedicated to the life of Christ, while the Old Testament is all a backstory to the coming of this radical. When Paul, who wrote 13 books of the New Testament (not including Hebrews: disputed), takes over from Romans onward, we see a difference take place. Paul was not directly trained by Jesus during his years of ministry, but was trained in Arabia and did not consult any other human being before heading out into ministry. (Read Galatians 1:16-17). He did not learn directly from the teachings of Jesus but was confronted in a revelation from Christ (Gal. 1:12). This leaves a lot of area open for possible miscommunication and misinterpretation. I have no doubt in the magnificent power and revelation of God to manifest Himself, but Paul's form of teaching is more complex and off-track than what Jesus originally planned, which was to love one another.
We see the summation of Jesus' ministry in Matt 22:37-40; the command to love the Lord your God and to love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus then says, "All the Law and Prophets hang on these two commandments." (These two commandments can be referenced in Deut. 6:5 and Lev. 19:18). Could Jesus' calling to us be as simple as "Love God. Love others."? Bring in Matthew 28:19-20 and we add the component of Making Disciples. Could this be Jesus' heart and we are completely missing it? Are we, as the church, getting too caught up into deep theology proposed by Paul that we miss the true heart of the man that we are supposed to be following? I believe that so many churches, and people within those churches, follow the teachings of Paul rather than following the teachings of Jesus. People follow Christianity rather than follow Jesus and it breaks my heart to see.
Alright, so people follow Christianity. What's the big deal?
I believe the big deal is when we overcomplicate the message of Jesus, such as is done in Romans 8-9 when the topic of predestination arises, to name one example. I have seen division in a body of believers and heard of more stories like it over topics like these. I have also seen people get hurt by the church because of a divorce and the woman is judged. Would you see Jesus cast out or judge someone over this topic, or would he come alongside and love them?! What makes someone think that this is okay to do? I remember reading a story about how a woman didn't step into a church for 8 years because she was kicked out of her previous church over a divorce with her husband. She entered into this new church with such fear of being judged and I remember feeling righteous anger over a story like that. People should not come to Jesus with the fear of being judged or pushed away. They should hear the message "Follow me." (This phrase used 11 times in the Gospels).
So, what now? Is life and salvation simple enough as to believe in just Jesus and not Christianity?
Yes. As I have sat under teaching of the Bible for years growing up in Christian school and now majoring in Biblical Studies, I have found so many disputed topics. i.e This Biblical scholar disagrees with this other Biblical scholar about the topic of Calvinism and where it is evidenced in Scripture, etc. Great. But while all this useless babble is going on, there are the widows, orphans, homeless, prostitutes, and cast aways, that are not being cared for. We are ignoring the heart of Jesus to engage in conversation that diverts away from the power of the Cross. If we truly enter into this relationship with Christ that has been offered, without the clutter of deep theology, would we become the hands and feet of Christ? In Acts 4:13 it says that Peter and John shocked the people because they were uneducated, ordinary men. These men didn't go to Bible school, didn't have an M.Div, weren't even eloquent speakers, but they knew Jesus. This is my cry. That I would be described as a man who didn't know everything in terms of philosophy, religion, etc. but followed the heart of Jesus. What if this was every believer's heart? Would we actually see people turned on to Jesus instead of turned off because of judgement and rejection that they've experienced in the past? If every believer had the non-judgemental heart that Jesus had, I believe we would see a revival and a movement spread like wildfire like in the days of the early church in Acts.
I'm just starting to take hold of this belief. I think it's a radical view, but Jesus didn't just sit on his couch...he challenged the culture and beliefs of the day. Why shouldn't I do the same? Why shouldn't you do the same? We need to study the life of Christ and become intimate with his passion for people, then go and do likewise. Stop engaging in arguments that only bring destruction, but focus solely on believing in Christ and Christ alone. Be Jesus to those around you.
So what's the answer?
The New Testament has the first four books dedicated to the life of Christ, while the Old Testament is all a backstory to the coming of this radical. When Paul, who wrote 13 books of the New Testament (not including Hebrews: disputed), takes over from Romans onward, we see a difference take place. Paul was not directly trained by Jesus during his years of ministry, but was trained in Arabia and did not consult any other human being before heading out into ministry. (Read Galatians 1:16-17). He did not learn directly from the teachings of Jesus but was confronted in a revelation from Christ (Gal. 1:12). This leaves a lot of area open for possible miscommunication and misinterpretation. I have no doubt in the magnificent power and revelation of God to manifest Himself, but Paul's form of teaching is more complex and off-track than what Jesus originally planned, which was to love one another.
We see the summation of Jesus' ministry in Matt 22:37-40; the command to love the Lord your God and to love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus then says, "All the Law and Prophets hang on these two commandments." (These two commandments can be referenced in Deut. 6:5 and Lev. 19:18). Could Jesus' calling to us be as simple as "Love God. Love others."? Bring in Matthew 28:19-20 and we add the component of Making Disciples. Could this be Jesus' heart and we are completely missing it? Are we, as the church, getting too caught up into deep theology proposed by Paul that we miss the true heart of the man that we are supposed to be following? I believe that so many churches, and people within those churches, follow the teachings of Paul rather than following the teachings of Jesus. People follow Christianity rather than follow Jesus and it breaks my heart to see.
Alright, so people follow Christianity. What's the big deal?
I believe the big deal is when we overcomplicate the message of Jesus, such as is done in Romans 8-9 when the topic of predestination arises, to name one example. I have seen division in a body of believers and heard of more stories like it over topics like these. I have also seen people get hurt by the church because of a divorce and the woman is judged. Would you see Jesus cast out or judge someone over this topic, or would he come alongside and love them?! What makes someone think that this is okay to do? I remember reading a story about how a woman didn't step into a church for 8 years because she was kicked out of her previous church over a divorce with her husband. She entered into this new church with such fear of being judged and I remember feeling righteous anger over a story like that. People should not come to Jesus with the fear of being judged or pushed away. They should hear the message "Follow me." (This phrase used 11 times in the Gospels).
So, what now? Is life and salvation simple enough as to believe in just Jesus and not Christianity?
Yes. As I have sat under teaching of the Bible for years growing up in Christian school and now majoring in Biblical Studies, I have found so many disputed topics. i.e This Biblical scholar disagrees with this other Biblical scholar about the topic of Calvinism and where it is evidenced in Scripture, etc. Great. But while all this useless babble is going on, there are the widows, orphans, homeless, prostitutes, and cast aways, that are not being cared for. We are ignoring the heart of Jesus to engage in conversation that diverts away from the power of the Cross. If we truly enter into this relationship with Christ that has been offered, without the clutter of deep theology, would we become the hands and feet of Christ? In Acts 4:13 it says that Peter and John shocked the people because they were uneducated, ordinary men. These men didn't go to Bible school, didn't have an M.Div, weren't even eloquent speakers, but they knew Jesus. This is my cry. That I would be described as a man who didn't know everything in terms of philosophy, religion, etc. but followed the heart of Jesus. What if this was every believer's heart? Would we actually see people turned on to Jesus instead of turned off because of judgement and rejection that they've experienced in the past? If every believer had the non-judgemental heart that Jesus had, I believe we would see a revival and a movement spread like wildfire like in the days of the early church in Acts.
I'm just starting to take hold of this belief. I think it's a radical view, but Jesus didn't just sit on his couch...he challenged the culture and beliefs of the day. Why shouldn't I do the same? Why shouldn't you do the same? We need to study the life of Christ and become intimate with his passion for people, then go and do likewise. Stop engaging in arguments that only bring destruction, but focus solely on believing in Christ and Christ alone. Be Jesus to those around you.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
We Are Missionaries.
I have the greatest respect for the people that have dedicated their lives to go overseas and be full-time missionaries. The time that they spend into learning the language and pouring themselves out into others is remarkable and should be noticed more than it has been. But I feel like us, as Americans, are missing a calling of Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20 and it needs to be realized and fixed. There is something that needs to be done here in our own land too, not just overseas.
Read Matt. 28:19-20
Many people look at this verse and see the call to go to all nations, and think this just means the far away nations. They forget that America is included in that list of all nations, and I'll explain why I think it might just be the hardest nation to do missions work in...
A distorted view. Of Jesus. This is what America has contributed to unbelievers and believers alike and this comes through several avenues. We see a distorted view of Jesus through television, billboards, radio, and sadly, Christians. The way that people are exposed to Jesus first is different than the people in Africa who are hearing of Him for the first time. They hear the message of love, grace, and redemption and can picture Him as the Bible truly depicts Him. But here in America, people are battling a different type of Jesus because of avenues that leave people with a bitter attitude towards Jesus. Do you agree? I have found this to be true as I have talked to people and have encountered people with other beliefs, that Jesus is someone else to them then what is depicted in the Scriptures.
I mentioned that we see a distorted view of Jesus through Christians, above. One of the men that I respect most in my life, who led my parents to the Lord, has a saying that I agree with wholeheartedly.
"If it weren't for the Christians, there would be more Christians."
Doesn't that ring true? I've encountered so many Christians who are judgmental, caught up on the rules and regulations, so much that they miss the point of the Gospel! So many unbelievers fear church because they feel like they will be judged, and that breaks my heart. Church is not for the people who have it all together, it is for the broken who are looking to be put together. But anyway, whether we choose to admit it or not, people see Jesus through Christians. So when people see Christians judging and unaccepting, they see Jesus as someone who judges and is unaccepting. And that's not who He is at all. He is someone who has His arms wide open to accept any and all who come to Him.
So, I guess Christians judging others could happen anywhere in the world. And I'm sure it is. But my call to anyone who reads this, and myself, is to realize that we are missionaries. Whether you are overseas or not, you are called to make disciples and love others. A problem that I have is though, is that I am not one who just can walk up to someone and start talking to them about Jesus. And I think, often times, this can be abrasive and off-putting. So then what? How can we do missions in our own neighborhood, job, etc?
My answer is to study Jesus. Read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John over and over and over. When you study Jesus and how He responded to things, lived His life, etc. we start to live like that too. And when we do this, people will see the difference. If we start to live so radically different than the self-centered culture, people will notice. And please note that I am not perfect at this, not even close, but I'm starting to figure it out and am working on it. I invite you to work on it with me.
"Be so caught up in Christ that people have to see Him in order to see you."
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
People in a Box.
Hello,
My first post in this whole blog thing will be about the church. I don't want to step on any toes (not my intention at all), but as someone who has been called to be a pastor, I see a few things that the church is doing that should be addressed. I want to look at these and hopefully open anyone who reads this eyes to what the church could be when described in the letters from Paul in the New Testament and functioning to its highest potential. I want to do this by outlining 2 major points.
1. The church is not a building.
What I mean by this is that so often people can get caught up in looking at the church as a place. We do it without thinking about it, but we place the church in one spot and don't consider the rest of what that entails. The church is a community, not a building. The church can meet at one spot for corporate worship, teaching, and gatherings at a central location, but so often it becomes more than that. It becomes THE church. We, I included, often lose focus that the church is the community of believers that has one purpose; to glorify God and to spread the Gospel. What happens for me is that I just go every Sunday to church to worship, listen to teaching, and say hi to a few people and then leave for Panera with the family... I miss the point of church then if I go just for these things. Interaction throughout the week is what is necessary for true growth as a Christian. (Proverbs 27:17 - Look it up). I'm a huge proponent of small groups when run properly and I believe that this is a way of becoming part of that community. To summarize this point; move from the mindset of the church being a building and to it being the people.
2. People in a Box.
Secondly, this is the title of my post because it is something that God has opened my eyes to and a vision that I have for what the church could be. We ended up leaving our old church of 11 years for more reasons than just this, but one reason being that my mother had nowhere to serve. Her heart is for missions, specifically human trafficking victims, and there was no ministry anywhere closely related to her passion for this cause. Something that I believe the church needs to realize is that each person is unique and God has placed individual talents within each person. So often the ministries in the church are ones that are found everywhere; Youth, Adult, Restoration, etc. But what if we saw a ministry for construction? Or floral? Most people would crane their neck at seeing such an odd ministry, but hear me out...
So often the ministries that are formed in the church force people to "fit in a box." The people's heart is in something else, but they're feeling called to serve so they might as well volunteer in children's ministry because it's the only appealing option. My mother's passion is for human trafficking victims, so what ministry could come alongside that vision and let her serve in something she's passionate for? This does not have to be the pastor's responsibility to figure out the ministry, but to walk alongside and shepherd the individual in what the ministry could look like. Partnering with a local organization, such as Ink 180, could be a possibility for my mom. When this happens, you'll find other people with the same heart and this is when true community can be built. This allows for the church to be able to reach out beyond its four walls when true ministry takes place. I believe, that when presented with the opportunity to give their gifts, talents, and passions back to God, people will jump at the opportunity and you will see the church function as never before.
Now, are there flaws to this type of thinking? Probably. Do I come at it with years of experience within the church and know how the church functions from an insider's view? No. But I do know that I have seen the church hurt people, countless times, and I see this as a way to remedy that. This is just a vision that God has laid on my heart for what I can do when I get to the point of being a pastor and shepherding people, but for right now it is a call to pastors who read this. Whether you're a youth pastor or whatever your role, utilize the people that you have in your ministry. They will come back to learn more and grow together. I guarantee it.
Thanks for reading and please send me your thoughts or criticisms. I'd love to learn how to be able to grow in this thinking.
Thanks for checking in,
Kyle
My first post in this whole blog thing will be about the church. I don't want to step on any toes (not my intention at all), but as someone who has been called to be a pastor, I see a few things that the church is doing that should be addressed. I want to look at these and hopefully open anyone who reads this eyes to what the church could be when described in the letters from Paul in the New Testament and functioning to its highest potential. I want to do this by outlining 2 major points.
1. The church is not a building.
What I mean by this is that so often people can get caught up in looking at the church as a place. We do it without thinking about it, but we place the church in one spot and don't consider the rest of what that entails. The church is a community, not a building. The church can meet at one spot for corporate worship, teaching, and gatherings at a central location, but so often it becomes more than that. It becomes THE church. We, I included, often lose focus that the church is the community of believers that has one purpose; to glorify God and to spread the Gospel. What happens for me is that I just go every Sunday to church to worship, listen to teaching, and say hi to a few people and then leave for Panera with the family... I miss the point of church then if I go just for these things. Interaction throughout the week is what is necessary for true growth as a Christian. (Proverbs 27:17 - Look it up). I'm a huge proponent of small groups when run properly and I believe that this is a way of becoming part of that community. To summarize this point; move from the mindset of the church being a building and to it being the people.
2. People in a Box.
Secondly, this is the title of my post because it is something that God has opened my eyes to and a vision that I have for what the church could be. We ended up leaving our old church of 11 years for more reasons than just this, but one reason being that my mother had nowhere to serve. Her heart is for missions, specifically human trafficking victims, and there was no ministry anywhere closely related to her passion for this cause. Something that I believe the church needs to realize is that each person is unique and God has placed individual talents within each person. So often the ministries in the church are ones that are found everywhere; Youth, Adult, Restoration, etc. But what if we saw a ministry for construction? Or floral? Most people would crane their neck at seeing such an odd ministry, but hear me out...
So often the ministries that are formed in the church force people to "fit in a box." The people's heart is in something else, but they're feeling called to serve so they might as well volunteer in children's ministry because it's the only appealing option. My mother's passion is for human trafficking victims, so what ministry could come alongside that vision and let her serve in something she's passionate for? This does not have to be the pastor's responsibility to figure out the ministry, but to walk alongside and shepherd the individual in what the ministry could look like. Partnering with a local organization, such as Ink 180, could be a possibility for my mom. When this happens, you'll find other people with the same heart and this is when true community can be built. This allows for the church to be able to reach out beyond its four walls when true ministry takes place. I believe, that when presented with the opportunity to give their gifts, talents, and passions back to God, people will jump at the opportunity and you will see the church function as never before.
Now, are there flaws to this type of thinking? Probably. Do I come at it with years of experience within the church and know how the church functions from an insider's view? No. But I do know that I have seen the church hurt people, countless times, and I see this as a way to remedy that. This is just a vision that God has laid on my heart for what I can do when I get to the point of being a pastor and shepherding people, but for right now it is a call to pastors who read this. Whether you're a youth pastor or whatever your role, utilize the people that you have in your ministry. They will come back to learn more and grow together. I guarantee it.
Thanks for reading and please send me your thoughts or criticisms. I'd love to learn how to be able to grow in this thinking.
Thanks for checking in,
Kyle
Introduction.
I'm Kyle Yates and I am going to be a sophomore in college next year. Crazy how time flies, but soon it will be time for a reality check and to say goodbye to my family again and head back up to Grand Rapids, Michigan for continuing my education.
I will be using this blog to put my thoughts down on "paper." These will be thoughts and visions for the church, how I'm struggling with certain issues, and my heart for ministry.
I thank you for reading and hopefully some of the things I say challenge you and force you to think about some things that you need to change.
Thanks for checking in,
Kyle
I will be using this blog to put my thoughts down on "paper." These will be thoughts and visions for the church, how I'm struggling with certain issues, and my heart for ministry.
I thank you for reading and hopefully some of the things I say challenge you and force you to think about some things that you need to change.
Thanks for checking in,
Kyle
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)