Cults, Heresy & False Doctrines - How to Identify

Cathy Denny has posted an excellent article on her blog about how to identify cults and false doctrines.

You can read it here

It is so good, I wish I was the one who wrote it. It blew me away.

Cookie Cutter Disciples

I can tell you what church certain people belong to just by the way they comb their hair or the dress code they abide by.

It is also pretty easy to tell what persuasion of theology church goers are associated with just by the phrases they parrot. They simply repeat the same phrases and sound-bites they have been taught (or read somewhere) – it’s a special insiders language of code words that reveals they are in the club. Now, you couldn’t learn this stuff from the Bible itself – you have to be taught it by men, who then attempt to use the Bible to prove their presuppositions. Just listen to them and you’ll hear the same phrases regurgitated over and over again. These disciples are simply the parrots of men. It’s really pretty pathetic.

They are:

• Cookie cutter disciples
• Facsimiles
• Products of human reasoning
• Stamped out of the same mold

Parroting the learned phrases of men does not prove the authenticity of ones Christianity. It only demonstrates they are faking it.

You see, God does not want you pretending to be somebody that you are not. You are unique and He wants you to be the person He has wired you to be. Simply allow Christ to be formed in you on a daily basis.

That's what it means to be authentic, and this kind of testimony is a lot more convincing too.

Polly want a cracker.

Memorable Moments at PCC in 2008

Looking back over 2008 I realize that a lot of amazing things happened at PCC – and we accomplished a lot together. The stories and testimonies of success are too numerous to list, but here are a few events that stand out:

1. The “pruning.” It was painful, but I am SO GLAD it happened. We are so much better off and more fruitful than we have ever been

2. Baptizing a whole lot of people

3. Adding a whole lot of new members into our membership

4. Graduating a whole lot of people from our 201 maturity seminar

5. Easter Weekend – over 1200 in attendance

6. Record-breaking attendances 3 times this year

7. Redesigning our web site

8. Launching the “Foundations” classes this summer

9. Getting a new youth overseer and restructuring the teen department.

10. Launching the mid-week children’s services.

11. Upgrading the lights in the sanctuary and buying a new church sign (both bought and paid for by generous donors through a special offering)

12. Dadfest on Father’s Day – when we had all those custom cars and motorcycles show up

13. Expanding our multi-media; filming testimonies, using a live-feed, etc.

14. Cardboard testimonies

15. Signs of Life Campaign – the sermon series and special offering. It has been a huge success so far!

It has been a remarkable year - the best ever.

Top Ten Posts of 2008

I haven't posted in a couple of days. Two reasons: (1) I wanted Sunday's post to stay up long enough to ensure that everyone who logs on would read it. It was heart-felt and I didn't want its message to get buried at the bottom of the page too quickly, (2) I was also having a little difficulty with my "comments" section. It seems that no one has been able to leave a comment (since last week) - none were getting through. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.

At any rate, I thought a good way to end this year would be to list the top-ten posts of 2008. The following list contains the ones that received most attention.

10. Size Matters - here

9. Dumb Dogs - here

8. Absalom at the Gate - here

7. Absalom and His Campaign Promises - here

6. True Colors - here

5. The Ten-Year Hiccup (Part 1) - here

4. The Ten-Year Hiccup (Part 2) - here

3. I'm Not Being Fed at My Church - here

2. Children of the Devil - here

1. A Church I Heard Something About - here

Reflections on the Last Sunday of 2008

Today was that Sunday out of the year that is the “in-between” Sunday. That is, we’re not fully out of last year, but not yet in next year either. It’s what I often call “dungeon Sunday.” The time of year, combined with (usually) dreary weather, holiday travel, and increased numbers of absentees due to sickness, makes for a challenging day.

And yet, today could not have been better and the year could not have ended stronger. Attendance was strong and giving doubled. Plus, the video (The Journey) reviewing our ten-year history was a reflective stroll down memory lane.

After more than 11 years at PCC I have found that days like today are great learning opportunities for me, and here are a few thoughts I’d like to share with you.

1. Days like today are when I discover who sees PCC as a calling and those who see it only as an extra-curricular activity.

Those who see PCC as an extra-curricular activity are the first ones to call in and cancel their duties; or they simply do not show up, or they leave early. Those who see their service at PCC as a calling go beyond the call of duty to cover the bases for everyone else. This means a lot to me, and it does not go unnoticed.

Today, for example, all our key positions were filled. As far as I could tell, there were no "no shows." Yes, there were a few families absent due to sickness, out-of-state travel, or visiting their families for the holidays. But almost everyone was present and accounted for. From the volunteer, to staff member, to the attender - most of our congregation sees their role at PCC as a "calling."


2. I learn about myself and the motives of my heart.

If I am depressed, complaining, or secretly wishing I could be home (watching TV) instead of being in church (even on a day like today) then there is something wrong with my spiritual development. Days like today are opportunities for me to love our volunteers, express extra appreciation for those who come, and make sure I do not neglect those who show up to join us in worship.

Charles Spurgeon once said that when you pay attention to the seat that is empty, you are paying a disservice to the one that is filled. Even when attendance drops my focus must be upon those who actually show up. Whoever shows up, even if it is only a few, are those who God has brought to us, and we must minister to them giving our best.

I walked through the atrium and sanctuary today before service acting like a greeter (“working the room”). Everyone I talked to – to the person – was offering words of encouragement and expressing how awesome they thought last Sunday’s service was. What this did to buoy my spirit, you’ll never know.

I can still remember the days when there were seven to twelve people meeting in my living room and we called it “church.” I can also remember the early days at Pace High School, when, if 40 people showed up we would have considered it a huge victory.

When you have pastored a church from your living room, you learn that your calling is to love and shepherd everyone that God brings into the fold. If I can’t do that whole-heartedly because attendance is not high enough, then something would be wrong with my calling – because Jesus considered them worthy of dying for.

So on days like “dungeon Sunday” (that Sunday between Christmas and New Year) I get up early and have a plan to make the most of the day: I get to work early, work hard, give God my best, give His people my best, and pray for God to search my heart. I have failed at this many times, but as I learn to do better (bit by bit), I love our people more and appreciate that I get to pastor any one.


3. I learn how much our people love their church.

Today, for example, there was a mother who seen her son off to Pensacola Airport for his return flight to Iraq, where he is a soldier. This mother had every reason to just go home and curl up under a blanket. Instead, she made it to church…. to worship… to be among God’s people…. and to be faithful.

Consider the couple who was out of state all week visiting family. After several days of travel and getting in very late last night, instead of sleeping in and sleeping off the jet lag, they got up and came to church. They were found at their post of duty. This did not go unnoticed on my part.

Or consider the woman who drove to Birmingham AL Saturday afternoon to be with a friend of hers, who had lost her mother. After spending time at the funeral home for visitation last night, this lady drove back to Pace in the same day arriving home late Saturday night (or the wee hours of Sunday morning), just so she could be in service today.

The commitment of some people is completely humbling to me – not to mention noble. The fact that they love God and love their church this much is contagious and encourages me very much. If 100 people showed up, instead of 500, and they have done whatever it takes to get there to worship and fellowship, then those people are the dedicated of the dedicated.

If people are laying down their lives like that, then I can lay mine down too.

4. On the worst days, I learn the best lessons. Therefore, they are the best days.

I thank God, that on the last Sunday of 2008 when morale is typically low, people came and worshipped God enthusiastically and gave generously. You were inspiring. I learned a lot, which made it one of the best days of the year.

BTW – wasn’t the video (entitled “Journey”) exceptional?

Recovering from DIVORCE

Divorce is like an amputation; you survive, but it feels like there's less of you. It's even worse if you didn't want the divorce, or have felt abandoned by a church that punishes divorced people. So, how can you "walk through this fire" and survive? Here are four suggestions:

1. Forgive yourself. "I...am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more" (Isaiah 43:25 NIV). God forgives and forgets, and He will give you the grace to forgive yourself, too. Healing begins when you quit punishing yourself.

2. Forgive those who've hurt you. Forgiveness is the one power you always have over anybody who hurts you. So keep on forgiving until the past no longer controls you. Make forgiveness your fixed attitude! Only by forgiving (or “letting go”) can you lay it down and move on.

3. Take your time. This point is very important. Don't make any big changes right now. You're on an emotional roller coaster, vacillating between wanting him/her back and wanting them to suffer. You're vulnerable to other people's comments and easily drawn toward anybody who pays you attention. Slow down! Healthy people make healthy choices, so spend time reading God's Word, praying, seeking counsel, and allowing yourself to be made whole.

4. Start giving back. "Your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to Him" (2 Chronicles 30:9 NIV). Realizing God hasn't turned His back on you, is what enables you to "Comfort those in any trouble with the comfort [you] have received from God" (2 Corinthians 1:4 NIV). When that happens you are on a journey to becoming whole again, your future is bright and your possibilities unlimited.

Two E-mails I Received Yesterday

#1
I was in Wal-Mart & saw a lady that attends PCC. We talked for a few minutes & she mentioned that she had just talked to my daughter, who she had seen in the store. I told her that my daughter & I were there to buy groceries for a couple with 2 small children in the Pace area & then we went our separate ways.This lady kept looking for me & finally found me again in the back of the store & handed me $20.00 to put towards buying groceries for this family. I was very touched & humbled realizing that God is speaking to people’s hearts & they are obeying Him.

#2
Dear Pastor,Just so you know, the last two posts to your blog have been ministering to me on a deep level. I've just recently made a decision to let some of that same kind of thing "roll off" instead of carrying it around. What is important is for you to know you have helped me tremendously by saying the words that God would have me hear at this particular time in my walk. He also used a sermon I heard in the car today to tie it all together... i.e., Mary didn't need to know what was coming when she birthed our Savior, only that it was God's will to use her. All she had was trust in God and knowing it was from Him. Why should I need more?Thank you for staying in His will for your life.

It matters to many, Pastor. Merry Christmas!

--------

I receive e-mails like this almost daily. Then there are the tan cards that are turned in each week. And get this - a lot of people even write "thank you" notes on their tithing checks (in the memo section) or on the offering envelope! Pastor Gene shows these notes to me and some of them are really amazing.

I think God is up to something.

I think He is doing stuff too - especially in people.

What do you think?

Safeguard to Success

When Paul was in a place called Lystra he commanded a crippled man to stand to his feet, and immediately the man was healed (Acts 14:8-10). That’s quite extraordinary. Without months of physical therapy to get his atrophied muscles strong again, this man simply started walking. Sometimes this is how God works - you just “walk into it” almost unexpectedly.

Next we read, “When the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying…. ‘The gods have come down to us’… and when the apostles heard this they “tore their clothes…. crying out…. Why are you doing this? We also are men” (Acts 14:11-15). Here we go again! We want to elevate men higher than they are entitled. Somebody that no one has ever heard of hits the high note, and the next thing you know they get a record deal and become an overnight star – our American Idol. Lord help us, it happens in the church too. Preachers, singers, and toe-tapping quartets crave the crowds, and the people love to have it so.

Paul and Barnabas didn’t go out and buy a new wardrobe (er, stage costume) to reflect their new image…. and they didn’t hire a publicity agent either! No, they tore their clothes and cried, “We are men just like you.”

BTW, the crowds that worshipped Paul that day were the same kind of crowds that later stoned him. That’s how quickly hero worship can fade.

Bottom line: be humble, love people, but trust only in God.

Bring Your Cardboard Back!

Bring your cardboard testimonies back to church this Friday (or Sunday) - we are hanging them on the wall in the sancturary, showing the "after" snapshot.

We already have some nailed to the wall - they look great. We will leave them up for two or three weeks!

What a blast we are having!

This is church as it was meant to be.

It's Already Yours

Do you remember the older brother in the story of the prodigal son? He throws a temper tantrum because his father never gave him a goat (a goat for crying out loud). The father says, “My son, everything I have is yours” (Luke 15:31 NIV).

A spiritual lesson can be learned from his immaturity – God has already “given you all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3 KJV), so you don’t have to feel short-changed for something you already possess.

The older brother was already in possession of the inheritance. He had access to as many fat cows and goats as his little heart desired. They were his for the taking. So what was he waiting for?

We ask God to give us joy. But joy doesn’t come from “out-there-somewhere.” It’s a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22)… and you already posses it… waiting to be cultivated and activated!

I’ve asked God before to give me peace about certain situations. But when He didn’t rain down peace on me out of heaven from “out-there-somewhere”, I became irritated and impatient, failing to recognize that He has already given me peace through Jesus (John 14:27)… and a peace which passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

You see, God is waiting for me to walk in what He’s already provided.

Don’t wait for God to give you victory… when the victory is already yours. Just walk in it!

Don’t wait for God to give you hope… when He has already poured out hope upon you. Just walk in it!

Stop waiting for God to come through for you… when He already has!

It’s already yours. Just walk in it.