Monday, November 12, 2007
As If for the First Time
My wife and I had a magical time this past weekend. Her birthday was Sunday, and in the Yoars household, that translates to a weekend-long (if not weeklong) cause for celebration. Along with an unforgettable day spent at Disney World—alone—we had an unexpected treat on Saturday. While going through boxes of old books that afternoon (man, do we know how to party or what?!), Amber discovered a couple of journals she'd kept around the time we first met. We've read through them before, and unlike many couples, we actually keep our "story" somewhat fresh in our minds. It's a still-intact, blissful memory for both of us. And yet it had been awhile since we'd reminded each other of why we fell for each other so hard and so fast.
This time, though, our story seemed new all over again. I could recall certain smells, what we wore on different occasions during those first few weeks, how Amber looked in certain situations, how the butterflies in my stomach felt each time I waited for her to arrive at our meeting place ... every sense came back to life. And all because of a simple reminder of my first love.
Today, as the romantic nostalgia wears slightly from my mind with the busyness of a renewed workweek cycle, my heart is still soft from reliving such a precious time. It's also rejoicing in the understanding that the same underlying principles apply to intimacy with God. Because just as my love for my wife matures into newness, so can my love for my true first love. I don't say that to sound romantic, super-spiritual, hokey or anything else that comes with the roll of an eye. It's simply that I realize this: A newfound liberty awaits us when we understand our relationship with God can perpetually grow younger, fresher and more alive—all while it ages through the taxing years of ministry, service, works, doing.
Simple concept, right? And yet it's somewhat backward given the nature of everything else in life. Since the fall, we have been programmed to decline. We're born to wear down. But in typical God fashion, our Maker offers a kingdom principle of renewal. This is the same God who designed rebirth, who tells crusty old men that to be saved they must be born again. His is the upside-down kingdom where weathered souls must become like little children all over again. To be the greatest, we must become the least; to be first, we must be last. Is it not fitting, then, that to age in your love for Him, you often must return to the very root from which the vine first grew? His fruit is eternally young, fresh ... and maturing.
We all need a reminder of this, no matter what our title or calling. From time to time, we need to hear our stories all over again, as if for the first time. As pastors and ministry leaders, it's not just easy to get buried in the everyday tasks, it's the natural path of our flesh. We become consumed with others, with tasks, with service, with a God-given commission ... all to the point of forgetfulness. We may have taught dozens of sermons about what it means to return to your first love. We may have even referenced Revelation 2:4 countless times and counseled others who misplaced intimacy with God with service for Him. Yet it makes no difference what we've told others in the past; how are we today? Have we remembered our first love?
In the midst of self-analysis, remember this liberating thought: Maturity does not require that we stage the scene all over again. In other words, I don't believe God asks us to make sure we've kept intact that virginal reaction we had toward Him. Instead, I believe He seeks a love that is always expanding and growing yet never loses sight of that first interaction—because it can't. No matter how much my love for my wife expands and grows, if I continue to truthfully nourish that love, I will never bury the memory of why I first wanted to journey the rest of my life with her. (Obviously, that memory can be buried; but in true love, it won't be.)
So it is with our true first love. Maturity may add some beautiful wrinkles to that love, but its skin will forever tell the story of a miraculous connection between a flesh-man and his spirit-Maker. Our DNA cries out for His intimate renewal. In all your wonderful work for God, in every task to which you give 110 percent to in His name, please, as a minister commissioned by Him, don't forget this: He commissioned you first to love Him. Everything else is simply a derivative of that sweet spot.
This time, though, our story seemed new all over again. I could recall certain smells, what we wore on different occasions during those first few weeks, how Amber looked in certain situations, how the butterflies in my stomach felt each time I waited for her to arrive at our meeting place ... every sense came back to life. And all because of a simple reminder of my first love.
Today, as the romantic nostalgia wears slightly from my mind with the busyness of a renewed workweek cycle, my heart is still soft from reliving such a precious time. It's also rejoicing in the understanding that the same underlying principles apply to intimacy with God. Because just as my love for my wife matures into newness, so can my love for my true first love. I don't say that to sound romantic, super-spiritual, hokey or anything else that comes with the roll of an eye. It's simply that I realize this: A newfound liberty awaits us when we understand our relationship with God can perpetually grow younger, fresher and more alive—all while it ages through the taxing years of ministry, service, works, doing.
Simple concept, right? And yet it's somewhat backward given the nature of everything else in life. Since the fall, we have been programmed to decline. We're born to wear down. But in typical God fashion, our Maker offers a kingdom principle of renewal. This is the same God who designed rebirth, who tells crusty old men that to be saved they must be born again. His is the upside-down kingdom where weathered souls must become like little children all over again. To be the greatest, we must become the least; to be first, we must be last. Is it not fitting, then, that to age in your love for Him, you often must return to the very root from which the vine first grew? His fruit is eternally young, fresh ... and maturing.
We all need a reminder of this, no matter what our title or calling. From time to time, we need to hear our stories all over again, as if for the first time. As pastors and ministry leaders, it's not just easy to get buried in the everyday tasks, it's the natural path of our flesh. We become consumed with others, with tasks, with service, with a God-given commission ... all to the point of forgetfulness. We may have taught dozens of sermons about what it means to return to your first love. We may have even referenced Revelation 2:4 countless times and counseled others who misplaced intimacy with God with service for Him. Yet it makes no difference what we've told others in the past; how are we today? Have we remembered our first love?
In the midst of self-analysis, remember this liberating thought: Maturity does not require that we stage the scene all over again. In other words, I don't believe God asks us to make sure we've kept intact that virginal reaction we had toward Him. Instead, I believe He seeks a love that is always expanding and growing yet never loses sight of that first interaction—because it can't. No matter how much my love for my wife expands and grows, if I continue to truthfully nourish that love, I will never bury the memory of why I first wanted to journey the rest of my life with her. (Obviously, that memory can be buried; but in true love, it won't be.)
So it is with our true first love. Maturity may add some beautiful wrinkles to that love, but its skin will forever tell the story of a miraculous connection between a flesh-man and his spirit-Maker. Our DNA cries out for His intimate renewal. In all your wonderful work for God, in every task to which you give 110 percent to in His name, please, as a minister commissioned by Him, don't forget this: He commissioned you first to love Him. Everything else is simply a derivative of that sweet spot.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Who Wants Another Black Eye?
Sigh. Here we go again.
As if the charismatic/Pentecostal community hadn't taken enough hits this year, it's now bracing for a few more black eyes. Following the ongoing sagas involving Paula and Randy White, Juanita Bynum, Richard and Lindsay Roberts and Oral Roberts University, Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) delivered a 12th-round blow to the gut for five more high-profile charismatic leaders. The ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, Grassley announced today (Tuesday) that he's investigating the ministries of the Whites, Benny Hinn, Joyce Meyer, Kenneth Copeland, Eddie Long and Creflo Dollar. The allegations, while unique to each ministry, involve a common thread of "possible misuse of donations" and abusing the tax-exempt status those ministries have as church organizations. At the core are questions about the leaders' lavish lifestyles that include private jets, multimillion-dollar mansions, cosmetic surgeries, fancy cars and CEO-like salaries. In letters faxed to the ministries Monday, Grassley requested various documentation regarding both personal and organizational finances, due by Dec. 6. (For extensive coverage on the story, click here or here.)
So many thoughts, so many angles on this developing story. And yet in the midst of what's sure to be a wildfire-like response amidst bloggers, ministers and talking heads alike, let me take a personal step back for a moment. I have been affected in some way over the years by these ministries, and I'm guessing that if you're reading this, you probably have too. Maybe your connection has been as simple as gleaning an invaluable nugget of truth from one of their TV broadcasts. Or maybe you were, in fact, a faithful donor who supported—maybe still supports—them. So I begin by emphasizing that certain aspects of these ministries have done outstanding works for the cause of Christ. I have dear friends who work closely with one of the aforementioned ministries, and they receive a substantial donation each month to support their own work with orphanages and underprivileged children. I am sure they are not an isolated case.
Yet even if that ministry comes through this investigation unscathed, it still saddens me. Because for all the wonderful things the organization has done in the name of Christ over the years, I have to wonder how its leaders—and those of all the ministries questioned—slowly ventured into territory that made them targets for scrutiny in the first place. While Paul talks about leaders living "above reproach" (Titus 1:7 NAS), Jesus' standard for both leadership and accountability is equally as explicit: "For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more" (Luke 12:48).
Unfortunately, the "given" and "committed" parts of this equation have become a mangled concept within various Spirit-filled streams. We've preached a prosperity gospel that has no connection to building the Kingdom, only to enlarging personal portions, tents and thrones. And when, for example, a $100 million-a-year ministry has given away 90 percent of that to other ministries, we've apparently had no qualms buying into the idea that since God has blessed its leaders with the remaining $10 million, they're therefore entitled to do whatever they want with it. We're the children of God, joint heirs to the throne ... we deserve it, right? And (here's my favorite line) isn't God the god of "the cattle on a thousand hills" (Ps. 50:10)? Surely He wants us to enjoy the riches He's given us.
Sigh (again). The truth is, He does. And I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that our God—who, yes, owns everything in the entire universe—is a lavish God who has a habit of dousing us in unimaginable riches. But I have a hunch that means something different on this side of heaven, that wealth and riches aren't necessarily what we think they are in terms of the Kingdom that Jesus spoke about so often. My reasoning for that comes from what I believe is a pretty good source: God's Word. Somehow I still can't seem to find any examples in the Bible of a believer being called to lavish God's gifts and riches upon himself. I'm still searching for any teachings of Christ that talk about rewarding myself with money, houses, cars—you name it—because I deserve it. Instead, I find the Son of the universe's owner consistently giving away everything He has until there's nothing left ... and then giving more. I hear a Savior whose warnings are to the rich, not to the poor. I see a God-Man who is more apt to hang out with the lowly and have-nots than the loaded and surgically enhanced.
There's a reason for that, and it has everything to do with why these ministries—guilty or not—now find themselves under the microscope.
YOUR TURN: What reaction do you have to today's news about the investigations? How does this impact ministries of all size? How does it impact the church? To what degree do ministry leaders have a right to "compensate" themselves?
As if the charismatic/Pentecostal community hadn't taken enough hits this year, it's now bracing for a few more black eyes. Following the ongoing sagas involving Paula and Randy White, Juanita Bynum, Richard and Lindsay Roberts and Oral Roberts University, Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) delivered a 12th-round blow to the gut for five more high-profile charismatic leaders. The ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, Grassley announced today (Tuesday) that he's investigating the ministries of the Whites, Benny Hinn, Joyce Meyer, Kenneth Copeland, Eddie Long and Creflo Dollar. The allegations, while unique to each ministry, involve a common thread of "possible misuse of donations" and abusing the tax-exempt status those ministries have as church organizations. At the core are questions about the leaders' lavish lifestyles that include private jets, multimillion-dollar mansions, cosmetic surgeries, fancy cars and CEO-like salaries. In letters faxed to the ministries Monday, Grassley requested various documentation regarding both personal and organizational finances, due by Dec. 6. (For extensive coverage on the story, click here or here.)
So many thoughts, so many angles on this developing story. And yet in the midst of what's sure to be a wildfire-like response amidst bloggers, ministers and talking heads alike, let me take a personal step back for a moment. I have been affected in some way over the years by these ministries, and I'm guessing that if you're reading this, you probably have too. Maybe your connection has been as simple as gleaning an invaluable nugget of truth from one of their TV broadcasts. Or maybe you were, in fact, a faithful donor who supported—maybe still supports—them. So I begin by emphasizing that certain aspects of these ministries have done outstanding works for the cause of Christ. I have dear friends who work closely with one of the aforementioned ministries, and they receive a substantial donation each month to support their own work with orphanages and underprivileged children. I am sure they are not an isolated case.
Yet even if that ministry comes through this investigation unscathed, it still saddens me. Because for all the wonderful things the organization has done in the name of Christ over the years, I have to wonder how its leaders—and those of all the ministries questioned—slowly ventured into territory that made them targets for scrutiny in the first place. While Paul talks about leaders living "above reproach" (Titus 1:7 NAS), Jesus' standard for both leadership and accountability is equally as explicit: "For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more" (Luke 12:48).
Unfortunately, the "given" and "committed" parts of this equation have become a mangled concept within various Spirit-filled streams. We've preached a prosperity gospel that has no connection to building the Kingdom, only to enlarging personal portions, tents and thrones. And when, for example, a $100 million-a-year ministry has given away 90 percent of that to other ministries, we've apparently had no qualms buying into the idea that since God has blessed its leaders with the remaining $10 million, they're therefore entitled to do whatever they want with it. We're the children of God, joint heirs to the throne ... we deserve it, right? And (here's my favorite line) isn't God the god of "the cattle on a thousand hills" (Ps. 50:10)? Surely He wants us to enjoy the riches He's given us.
Sigh (again). The truth is, He does. And I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that our God—who, yes, owns everything in the entire universe—is a lavish God who has a habit of dousing us in unimaginable riches. But I have a hunch that means something different on this side of heaven, that wealth and riches aren't necessarily what we think they are in terms of the Kingdom that Jesus spoke about so often. My reasoning for that comes from what I believe is a pretty good source: God's Word. Somehow I still can't seem to find any examples in the Bible of a believer being called to lavish God's gifts and riches upon himself. I'm still searching for any teachings of Christ that talk about rewarding myself with money, houses, cars—you name it—because I deserve it. Instead, I find the Son of the universe's owner consistently giving away everything He has until there's nothing left ... and then giving more. I hear a Savior whose warnings are to the rich, not to the poor. I see a God-Man who is more apt to hang out with the lowly and have-nots than the loaded and surgically enhanced.
There's a reason for that, and it has everything to do with why these ministries—guilty or not—now find themselves under the microscope.
YOUR TURN: What reaction do you have to today's news about the investigations? How does this impact ministries of all size? How does it impact the church? To what degree do ministry leaders have a right to "compensate" themselves?
