Ridgell's Originals

 People sometimes ask about my views on Christians and alcohol. No position to take, but here are a few things I think about concerning Jesus and drinking.

Jesus turned water into wine.

The Lord's Supper had wine. 

Christians are not to get drunk.

Elders are not to be heavy drinkers, even of wine.

I think there is a difference between wine, beer, and hard liquor.

Alcohol is an easy addiction to fall into.  And hard to overcome.

I have seen a lot of Christians spend years battling this demon.

Some can handle alcohol responibly and as a Christian should.

Some cannot.

I have seen up close the damage alcohol can cause.

Marsha and I are very conscious of our example.  We do not want anyone to see us take a drink and have that be the excuse for them to start drinking.  Stumbling blocks are real.  

So we really buy in to the help the weaker brother by the way we live.

Alcohol consumption can sure lead to behaviors that have enormous consequences.  

Hard to manage your life when you don't remember parts of it.

So my opinion about Christians, Jesus, and the drinking of alcohol.

Stay sober.

Be aware of your influence.

If you are a leader (elder couple, preacher, parent, etc.) be especially aware.

Choosing not to drink is never a bad choice.

Remember to filter you drinking decisions thru the great commandments:  how does this love God and how does this love my neighbor.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

Part of the reason for the last few posts is to clarify our thinking about what is next for the Ridgells.  I want to be clear that we believe the church we left had every right to go a different direction about what is a core conviction for us about Scripture.  We may not agree but they have that right.  They absolutely believe they made the correct decision.  And we love a lot of people that were in our flock/family there.  We still grieve that we are not there.  Lots of deep roots.  But things change.

So... what are we doing about our next church home?

I don't know, but we have narrowed it down.  Sort of.

We have thought about just being members of the church in Abilene.Or the church at large everywhere.  We have people in lots of churches we do life with.  Our small group has been together over 20 years and none of us go to church together.  I do funerals, teach classes, fill-in preach, and do spiritual counseling for lots of different places and people.  And we really are attracted to this model.  But we do have a sense that we need a "home base" to work out of.

Thought about doing house church.  And we have done that some.  But we travel -- and will more soon I think -- to see grandkids and for our own enjoyment.  My out-of-town preaching schedule is really starting to fill up again.  So this may not be practical.

Find a church here that is compatable with what we believe to be core convictions.  We know we will not find a church that does everything our way.  Never have been in one of those.  We are OK with that.  But it does need to fit what we believe is core.  Lots of churches to choose from.  Lots of friends that think we would fit with them at their church.  This is the probable answer.

Maybe a church will need an interim preacher and that will be our church home until they hire someone.  Then maybe there will be another one.  

Or there may be a church that wants a part-time evangelist and that will be the way we decide what/where is next.

Perhaps this is not as narrowed down as I thought.  But we will figure out.  

At any rate, we do know God has this.  He knows what is next.  

We are trying to listen and then obey.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

 Sometimes you have to move on.  I think it is a last resort, and only done when the church you are a part of changes in a fundamental way that violates your core convictions.

It will be painful.  After all, the church you are leaving is full of the people you have done life with and it will never be the same.  The church you leave is not the same, but there will never be anywhere else like it.

You are probably not the only one leaving.  Some who stay will understand and sympathize with your decision.  They love you and will miss you.  Some will not understand and will not handle it well.

So what do you do?

Obviously you will want to find a community of faith to worship with.  There may be an existing church in your area that agrees with you core convictions.  Check them out.  Ask to meet with their leadership.  Find out their core convictions.  You will not agree on everything.  Core convictions.  Not everything.  That may be your new family.

Or do house church.  That may grow into something very meaningful and real kingdom growth might happen.

Some will want to start another church and be like the old church used to be.  That rarely happens.  And if not very careful, it becomes the church that is "against" instead of a church that is "for."  I do think it would be interesting if a church leadership would proactively plant a church in these situations.  You know that certain changes are going to cause a major upheaval.  I would love to see some church try to figure it out without all the pain and hurt feelings.  But it would take incredible spiritual leadership.  Most churches I have ever seen go thru this kind of thing spin the narrative that no one that really matters will leave.  Some even insist that to be true after 1/3 of their church is gone.  But I wonder if it is possible to do things differently.  

And here are a couple of other things I think worth thinking about.

You are still part of the church you left.  You should not -- and probably cannot -- just cut ties with your spiritual family.  I would love a church that still informs and communicates news to those that have left.    Not sure what the point is of removing them from every communication source.  Some may not want info any more.  OK.  That is their choice. But some would want to know about the people they love. 

So I love peole that leave a church and still show up at the hospital and the funerals.  Or that sign up for meals on a food schedule from their old church. That still serve and do life with their previous church family in ways that matter.

Because you are still family.  My wife and I talk about being members at large of the Abilene church.  I do funerals at several churches.  Teach class and preach at several.  We take meals and serve people from lots of different churches.  We still do a lot of shepherding for people that go many different places.

Maybe we need to stop thinking of church in such a narrow sense and realize that maybe God has something much bigger in mind. 

I don't know all the answers obviously.  And I am not even exactly sure what we are personally going to do.  

Maybe I'll write more about that next time.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

At some point your church will split.  It may not be official, but it will happen.  Leaders decide not to change certain things and people leave.  Or you decide to change things and people leave.  Sometimes -- tho actually rarely -- it is an organized leaving.  Or it may be a "trickle out" happening.  But when you change the basic nature of your church, people leave.  Or you will not change anything for any reason and people leave.

But here are three things you need to stop saying about people who leave your church.

People do not leave because they are not smart enough to understand your position.  I know it is frustrating to clearly explain and teach why you will not do certain things but everyone does not get it.  It is tough to clearly explain why things are changing and still have a number of people not get it.  It may just be that they do not agree with your interpretation.  They may believe the Bible absolutely means what it says.  Or they definately believe that if God wanted to bind something, He would have said so.  But that does not make them less intellegent.

And you cannot get mad or frustrated when they do not agree.  It may be clear to you, and even the rest of the leadership, but it may not be clear to others.  Different ways of looking at Scripture does not mean someone is smarter.  So do not be condecending or arrogent about your decisions.  And don't get mad when you confront leaders and they do not change their decision.  It may be you have different views of Scripture.  

Second, people that disagree with you love the Lord just as much as you do.  Even if you are convinced the decision is wrong and it is serious enough for you to leave does not mean the leaders do not love the Lord.  They are doing what they think God wants.  And people that leave over decisions may actually be leaving because they do love the Lord.  

To judge people's heart or motives is wong.  I will concede that people can love the Lord and still be wrong.  Those that make decisions can love the Lord and be wrong.  Even wrong in ways that damage the Kingdom.  Does not mean they don't love the Lord.  And people that leave can be wrong.  Even while still loving God.

Third, please be careful when affirming that your decision is because the Holy Spirit is clearly leading you.  That of course implies that anyone who does not agree is opposing the Holy Spirit.  That is a serious charge.  I am not saying the Holy Spirit is not leading the decision and I think it appropriate to talk about it.  But words matter.  So does tone.  I am still thinking this thru, but I do know that when the Holy Spirit is clearly leading his people, then the fruits of the Holy Spirit are evident.  

So storming out of the assembly seems not of the Holy Spirit.  Or yelling at people who disagree seems contrary to being led by the Spirit.  Lying about people, or assigning unChristian motives does not lead to joy, peace, kindness, or ... well, you get the idea.

Church splits should always have a lot of tears.  Even broken hearts.  Family splits are terrible.  

So when leaders make hard decisions -- and you will -- do it in a way that honors the Holy Spirit.  Explain it.  Love those who do not agree.  Work to find a way to agree to disagree.  And for those that leave, do it in love and peace.  

So let's agree on this:  we all try to follow what God says in Scripture, we all love God, and we all want to be full of the Holy Spirit.  And sometimes we disagree.  Enough that we can't all worship in the same congregation.  

But maybe we can figure out how to still be family.

Because we are.  

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

 Lots of people change churches.  Some change their big group (denomination).  Some change their small affiliation (congregation).  Sometimes large numbers leave, sometimes smaller number.  All at once, or over time.  

So let me say right up front that I am not a fan of changing churches.  

Your community of faith is your spiritual family.  You do -- and have done -- life together.  Often for years.  Your church is where you and your people were baptized, married, and buried. 

I am a believer in the authority of elders and submission to your church leaders.  You will not always agree and you will sometimes be frustrated, but they are your leaders and they have authority.

Most things people leave over are not worth it.  So worship is not always like you wish it was.  If it was the way you wanted it, someone else might not like it.  The preacher may not be your favorite, but others may love him.  

And most things people get unhappy and leave over are not really core matters.  They are usually matters of opinion.  You may be incredibly frustrated that nothing ever changes.  Or that it seems everything is changing.  But that does not always mean leave.

Because there are no perfect preachers, leaders, members, or churches.  

But I am not saying you should never leave your community of faith.

Leave when your church changes in such a way that it violates your core convictions.

If you do not know your core convictions, you need to do some basic work on what you believe before jumping the gun and up and leaving.

Let me give you an idea of my core convictions.

Jesus, his death, burial, and resurrection according to the Scriptures.  Of course this is not original.  It is out of I Corinthians 15.

So I have a strong conviction about baptism as the way we share in the death of Jesus (Romans 6 among others).  And I have a strong conviction about the Lord's Supper as the way faith communities share and remember the death and resurresction of Jesus (I Corinthians 11 among others).  So if a church decides to de-emphasize these, I am going to have trouble staying.

Because of Scripture.  So if a church chooses to change how they interpret Scripture, that may violate my core conviction.  Not just the decisions made based on new interpretation, but the fact that they change the view of Scripture.  Because how you interpret Scripture does determine what decisions you make.  I am pretty much "if Scripture says it we better follow it," and "if Scripture does not say it, we better not bind it" kind of believer.

Let me be clear.  Churches can change.  They may become convinced that God is taking them in a new direction.  They have that right.  That change may not violate your core beliefs.  Or it may.  And if it does, I have to answer first to my God, not to my church.

So church leaders can certainly change if they believe that is what God wants.  I can disagree.  And may choose to leave since we no longer agree on what I believe to be core.  And I may believe that is what God wants of me.

Your core convictions may be more -- or less -- than my list.  You too answer to God first, not to me.  You may not agree with my core.  I may not agree with yours.  We each have to do what we believe God calls us to do.

So if you decide you have to leave... then what?

I'll share more thoughts next time.  

# posted by Steve @ 5:30 AM 0 comments

My grandson, Jake Gilbreth, turns 15 in a couple of days.  As is my custom, here are just a few of the reasons I love him and am proud of him.

He is a very talented and creative guy.  Self taught musician, especially good on the drums.  Very good with multi-media.  And it is all learned on his own. He sees something he likes and he learns how to do it.

He will always make a living.  I know that because he has started several succesful businesses already in life.  Custom shoes. You Tube channel.  I enjoy waiting to see what his next project will be.

I appreciate a polite teenager.  Jake consisistently thanks me for giving him rides, buying lunch, or any thing I do to help him.  

Jake is his own man.  He does not have to do what everyone else does.  Doesn't care what the "in thing" is.  That is a trait that will serve him well in life.  Makes it hard to know what he is thinking sometimes.  And I suspect he will be hard to really get to know.  But it also makes him able to stand on his own feet.

Jake can talk to older people.  Some teens can't -- or won't.  Jake does.

He takes responsibility.  Helps his Mom around the house and in the yard.  Often without being asked or told to.  

Makes good grades.

He is a nice guy.  Not just polite, but actually nice to everyone.  Has a heart for those on the outside.  Helps those who are bullied.  Opens doors.  

He is not entitled.  Rare among teenagers.

Yes, life has been tough.  Had some hard health scares in his past.  Raised by a single Mom.  But he always overcomes.  

Of course I like my grandson.  But as he becomes a man, I realize that I also respect him.  That is a rare gift.

And I trust Jake.  He is dependable.

He is learning that his self-worth is absolutely not dependant upon what others think.

So Jake I love you and am proud of you.  You have a lot of qualities I wish I had when I was younger.  

God has been good to you, blessed you, and protected you.  I cannot wait to see what the future holds.    

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

I believe the Holy Spirit inspired the Bible.  Scripture was written by men at a specific time to a certain group of people.  But I beleive it is also written for all people everywhere in all times.  I believe the Holy Spirit inspired Scripture and I beleive the Holy Spirit worked in collecting the Scriptures into what we know as the Bible.

So obviously I don't think the Bible is wrong about some things.  Or any thing.

Yet I have heard some interesting theories about the Bible and the Holy Spirit.  

When I was growing up, I occasionally heard a theory that the Holy Spirit only worked thru the Bible.  Not could work thru Scripture.  Or did work thru Scripture.  But could only work thru Scripture.  Closely tied to that was the idea that the Holy Spirit did not live in Christians, but only in the Word.

It always seemed odd because you couldn't find that teaching in the Bible.  In fact, the Bible said just the opposite.  Clearly.  Many times in several places.  I remember hearing that point made and watching people fight and draw lines of fellowship.

You don't hear this much anymore.  I think it is because doctrines that are against Scripture just don't last long.  They may be around for years, or even decades in certain places.  But they don't last.

Today I hear a lot of talk about the Holy Spirit leading believers to see new truth about what is written in Scripture.  Almost as if the Holy Spirit could not use Scripture.  As if the Holy Spirit inspired a Word from God that was true 2000 years ago but not quite as true today in our culture.

I have a hard time thinking the Holy Spirit was wrong and we need to correct what was said in Scripture.  Just doesn't make sense to me. I don't get how the Holy Spirit could be right then but now has to guide us into a new understanding of what is no longer correct.  

I just don't think Paul and Jesus disagree in what they teach in the Bible.  I don't think the Old Testament and the New Testament are in opposition.  

So when I find things in the Bible that I don't really believe (or don't want to believe), or when I find things that would make me change how I want to live -- I assume I am the one that is wrong.  So my thinking and my life are what needs to change.  Not the Bible.

So thanks God for having your Holy Spirit inspire men to put down your message for us.  You know best and help me always remember that.  In Jesus.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments