Some thoughts on the Giglio Controversy

I don't often take the time in this blog (actually I'm not sure I ever have) to write on current issues.  However, the whole Louie Giglio controversy is bothering me.  I have read a few of the statements on it and I realize that the likelihood is that Pastor Giglio was "disinvited" by the committee when it was discovered that he had differing views (aka - biblical views) on homosexuality.  Much of the blogosphere is addressing this issue and some of it is even quite humorous.  For example, one of my favorite Tweets about it was from @TonyReinke:  

Imagine the presidential inauguration committee's panic if they discovered what's in those inauguration Bibles!

However, there are also pleas throughout the blogs that the President ought to put a stop to the LGBTQ community in their vitriol and hatred of those who have a different opinion.  He should use his bully pulpit to bring civility back to discussion where differing views are held.  There are some who have called it Moral McCarthyism.  Others have called what's happened evidence of a new 'State church.'  These are very well-written responses to what has happened, but I wonder if they miss the point.  

It is wrong that Giglio was "disinvited" and it is sad that the historic, biblical Christian faith is ridiculed as less than loving.  However, as I have been preparing for Sunday morning and studying 1 Peter 3:13-17 I wonder if how we are approaching this situation is a bit off.  

Here is the text:  

¹³ Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, ¹⁵ but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶ having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. ¹⁷ For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. 

It seems to me that we are more concerned with how others are responding to Christian beliefs than we are with how we are responding as Christians.  Yes, there may come a time when it is considered "illegal" to speak out against homosexuality.  There may come a time when Christian pastors are thrown in jail in America for standing up for biblical truth.  But truly - who is there to harm us (cf. Romans 8:31)?  God is against evil (1 Peter 3:12).  He is more against it than we are and that was proven in the Cross of Christ.  Our call is to suffer if that is what God wills and in that we will be blessed.  We should have no fear of them, nor be troubled.  What we should do is pray for our President and leaders and plead with our Lord to change hearts miraculously not rest in the President making it all better.  We can too easily get distracted from our call - to continue to fear the Lord, to honor him as holy in all we do and to be “zealous for good.”  

As believers we have hope – let us show that.  Let us live such good lives among the nations that they will see our good deeds and will glorify God on the day of visitation (1 Peter 2:21).  And not only that, let us live such good lives – responding with gentleness and respect, with a good conscience so that those who slander believers will be put to shame.  Let us give them to Gospel and let us present before them a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense not by being jerks and demanding things, but by being loving and giving them Christ. 

This is not to say that I am not concerned with where this country is headed.  I am.  I pray for the President and the moral relativism that is rampant, but it is not out of God's hands (that's exactly why I pray) and as a believer my call is clear.  Love, and be a blessing by proclaiming Christ all the more.  

Thoughts for 2013

It doesn't seem like it was all the way back in November the last time I wrote anything for the blog.  I guess the Christmas season was busier than I thought.  Not only that, but as a church planter it had its ups and downs.  As with any young church when families travel you tend to feel their absence, but when multiple families are gone for the holidays visiting family and friends you can really feel it.  I was actually quite glad to get back to a more "normal" week this past Sunday.

As we begin 2013 I am hopeful for what the Lord has in store for our family and for Living Hope.  As you know we have had a foster child in our home since September and he really has become a treasured part of our family.  There are some significant steps that will happen in the next few months that will determine whether or not he will be able to stay with our family...we would appreciate your prayers.

Reflecting on this past year and looking forward, I truly want 2013 to be a year of significant growth.  First, I want our family to grow together.  I want Erin and I to grow in our relationship.  That even through the stress and craziness of life as we church plant that we would fall more in love each day.  I am so blessed to have her in my life and I want to take full advantage of all opportunities to grow together and to show my love for her.  In particular I want to do a better job of communicating and sharing my feelings (besides hungry and tired) with her.  I also want our kids to grow.  Both Reed and Meredith are expressing more and more desire to take communion and so we are going through a family devotional about what it means to be a disciple of Christ.  The past few days have been really enjoyable and it's great when your 8 and 6 year old are reading the Scripture passages themselves.  Pray for them in this.  Pray for Anna to continue to grow - I can't believe she just turned 4!  Pray as well for our foster son and that we would be able to take away the qualifier of "foster" this year.  I am so blessed by my family and I want this to be a great year of growth for us.  I want us always to leave no doubt that we are 100% for each other!

Second, I want the church to grow.  Much of my role as a pastor is to equip those in the church for the work of the ministry.  I am to teach and model and lead the people into the enjoyment of God for the glory of God.  I am to teach them all the things that Christ has taught.  To adequately do this - I need to be growing in my relationship with God and experiencing greater and greater joy.  I have once again taken on Robert Murray M'Cheyne's reading plan to get through the Bible in a year.  This will be probably the fifth or sixth time following this plan and also using D.A. Carson's excellent devotional companions:  For the Love of God - volumes 1 & 2.  Please pray that this would not be something that I am doing just because it's good, or so I can check something else off my list, but that it would be wonderful fuel for my soul.

Third, I want us to expand our influence as a church.  We have a great relationship with the school in which we worship, but we want to be able to serve in greater ways.  We want to reach some of the thousands who do not know the Lord.  I am planning and praying through different areas of our ministry plan and would appreciate you praying for that.  Also, pray that as a church we would be creative and faith-filled in all we undertake.  

There is definitely more that I could write, (wanting to find musicians for example) but for now this is it.  Perhaps in a few days I will put up some more detailed thoughts and plans for this year.  What are your thoughts/plans for 2013?