Ridgell's Originals

 Christians sometimes change churches.  It is never an ideal situation and I don't know any mature Christian leaders who are happy that people do this.  Sometimes they leave your church and that should make you sad.  Sometimes they come to your church.  That is good but sad they felt they needed to leave somewhere else.

I know some people leave mad.  Maybe because they did not get their way.  And they will eventually be a problem at whatever place they go.  But most leave sad.  I am not sure anyone enjoys changing churches.  

Right now I am on staff at a church that is getting a lot of people who left their previous church home.  We have had discussions about it.  Many show up wounded from their last church experience.  Some probably are rebellious sheep and that won't change.

But some are dedicated faithful believers who want to expand the Kingdom.  We are glad to have them.

So why do Christians change membership?  Is it ever legitimate?  So here are a few of my thoughts.  

They need a change.  Some people just can't stay where there has been a traumatic event.  A death.  Or a sin struggle.  Some can stay.  Some can't.  Some have family circumstances.  A teenager that they believe will do better in a different church environment.  Maybe the preacher leaves and there was just such an attachment to him that they feel the need to move.  I don't know that any of these are great reasons to leave, but I don't know that they are poor reasons either.  Different strokes for different folks at different stages of life.  And after all, we are all in this together so if they need to be somewhere else then God bless them.

Their church changes philosophies.  This is not a matter of doctrine, theology, or core beliefs.  But it is a matter of emphasis.  Some people are passionate about different ministries.  If your church decides to change ministry emphasis from youth to foreign missions, or from building expansion to seniors ministry that may trigger a desire to be in a congregation that fits your philosophy better.

And sometimes your church does change their fundamental beliefs.  I get that there is lots of room for discussion on what core doctrine is.  Personally, there are things that I like but I don't think are that clear in Scripture.  Or it may be that I think a better decision could have been made, but I understand the reasoning behind a decision and can live with it.

But sometimes churches change what you see as core.  Churches have that right.  They may decide that the previous beliefs that they held are not really in keeping with Scripture.  And members have a right to disagree.  And to leave.  For example, I am convicted that Scripture is the actual word of God and that it is true.  If I don't agree or understand it, the problem is me not God.  So there are things I believe about life, marriage, how we live that I think are true.  A church could decide to interpret Scripture in a way that seems to contradict what is said.  Or interpret it in a way that enforces what does not seem to be there.

So people leave.  But here is what we have to remember.  Changing churches does not mean you have left the Kingdom.  Nor does it mean the people that stayed have left the faith.  Sometimes faithful Christians must leave.  If they are leaving, then maybe they will show up at your church and bless you.

But if you leave, don't spend your time talking down the church you left.  It is appropriate sometimes to explain why.  But even then, do it gently and with love.  After all, part of your family may still be at the church you left.

And we have to stop hurting people who leave.  It is so frustrating when someone does not agree with your decision to change things.  But we cannot lie, abuse, bully, and wound them.  Especially church leaders cannot do this.

Lose them to you congregation.  Do not wound them out of Kingdom work.  Or even out of the Kingdom.

 I often get asked how to start conversations with friends about Jesus. There are any number of "conversation prompts" out there. You know, if they say that, then you say this. Then depending on what they say next, you say this or that. You can even find leading questions that will let you use the old "but you said..." approach.

I don't have any of those. I just don't think memorizing scripts is the best way to share Jesus. And Jesus didn't teach his disciples a script, so...

But here are some natural ways to be a friend.

Pray lots. Pray for needs they have. But also pray for open hearts and pray for opportunities to say something. Pray for the courage to speak.

Invite. Children's programs are a great attraction. Holiday invites (Christmas and Easter) are good. Special programs (caring for aging parents, parenting, marriage seminars, financial issues) are really effective.

Talk about Jesus. Give God glory for healing, finances, crisis solutions, etc. Always. I usually follow this up with some kind of invite to talk more. My conversion, what Jesus means, what God has done, etc.

Ask about their Jesus journey. Just things like I would ask about anything. If I am talking about baseball, I ask did you ever play? What position? Why'd you stop? With Jesus, I might ask if they ever went to church, or what they think about Jesus.

Don't be afraid to apologize. Sometilmes it is personal if you have not always lived up to your faith. Sometimes it is an apology for what they percieve the church of some Christian did. If I don't know the situation I do generic apologies. I don't know what happened, but if you were hurt I am sorry. I hope they did not mean to but we are not perfect. Forgiven.

Have your neighbors over for meals. Get to know them. And let them know you.

Finally, a word about the cost. I am often told that they are afraid they will lose friendships if they talk about Jesus. If your Jesus talk costs a friendship it wasn't going to be much of a friendship. I mean, Jesus is the most important thing to you. How can you be friends with someone that will not even acknowledge what is most important to you.

But you don't have to be pushy, arrogent, a religious bully, or display a spiritual superiority complex.

But you also don't have to try and convince them you are just alike. Jesus does make a difference. We may all be sinners but we Christians are forgiven. We may all have issues, but ours get fixed by God.

These may, or may not, work for you. But I think they are helpful.

God bless you as you share His Son in your friend/co-worker/teammate/classmateneighbor sphere of influence.

 No, I am not a counselor.  But I read my Bible and I think the Bible is a very practical book on how to live your best life.  It is absolutely the best counseling guide ever written.

I believe depression is real.  And it happens to Christians.  It happened to a great prophet, Elijah.  Read I Kings 19.  So depressed he wanted to die.

There are six principles and actions in this story that will help you.  And will help you do spiritual counseling.

Get rest.  Elijah took a nap.  Exhaustion can lead to depression.  So take a break.  A nap.  Get away for a weekend.  Take a vacation.  Sabbath rest is a spiritual principle.

Eat.  God sent food to Elijah.  Take time to eat.  Better yet, eat with a spiritual mentor or good friends.  Not food on the run.  Or fast food.  Decent food.  Healthy food.

Do what God says.  I don't know if Elijah understood the journey to the mountain.  But God told him to go and he went.  So if you are not doing what you should, then start.  Show up for worship.  Be thankful.  And obviously, stop doing what does not please God.

Spend time with God.  Worship.  Pray.  Meditate.  Read the Bible.  Elijah was in the presence of God.

Listen to God.  He may not speak in an audible voice like He did to Elijah, but He does speak.  Listen to Godly people in your life.  But above all, read God's Word.  He will speak right into your life thru His word.

Remember you are not alone.  Elijah thought he was the only faithful prophet until God told him there were 7000 faithful prophets he did not even know about.  You are not going thru anything that God's people have not faced.  You have a community of faith that will help you.  Walk with you.

Principles for depression.  Use them.  Share them.  

They help.

 I have spent a lot of time in a lot of different places lately talking about how to share your faith with family and friends.

Here are four quick suggestions to get started.

Pray.  If you have specific people in mind that you want to share Jesus with, then start praying for them.  Constantly.  Pray for their heart to be softened to hear.  Ask that you will recognize the opportunity to speak.  Pray for the right words.  And pray for the people you haven't really thought about in terms of sharing your faith.  Acquaintances.  Co-workers.  Neighbors.  Ask God to bring them to you.  And for yoru to know it when He does.  To have the courage to speak.

Invite.  Ask them to church.  Invite them to special events.  Have them over for a meal or take them out.  Get to know them.

Listen to their story.  I often ask people to tell me about their Jesus journey.  Or their Jesus story.  Some will not have one.  Some you will find out are believers.  Some may believe but have never been born again.  Some may be lost sheep.  Some will not want to talk.  But you have introduced Jesus into the relationship.

Be ready with your story.  If they ask, or you get an opportunity, know what you will say about Jesus.  How you came to know about Jesus.  Your baptism.  What God has done for you.  Answered prayers.  Struggles.  Just be ready.

Anticipate the next step.  Ask if they want to visit more.  My favorite invite is to ask if they want to get together and talk about Jesus stories.  Think about what stories you know and can share.  Legion.  The Ethiopian.  The Good Samaritan.  Just have your collection of stories ready. 

These are mostly "getting ready" steps, but they are starting points.  And they will lead to many discussion.  Many opportunities to talk about Jesus.  

And many souls added to the Kingdom.

 It's hard to be a Dad today.  Not a father, that's biological.  But to be a Dad.  We are in a culture that does not value men.  A culture that often acts as if there is no difference between men and women.  That you really do not have to have a Dad to have a strong family.

I get some of that.  I know amazing families that are led by single Moms.  Strong families in spite of weak Dads.  But my thinking about Dads is formed by two convictions.  My faith as a Christian.  My belief that the Bible is the word of God.

So I believe our world needs strong Dads.  I believe in strong Granddads.  Church Dads.  Stepdads.  Male role models.  I love the faithful men who are forming our boys into faithful men.

Thankful for my two Dads (mine and my father-in-law).  Love watching my son be the Dad he is.  Appreciate my son-in-law stepping in as a step-dad to two teenagers.  And I have three grandsons who will be great Dads.  

Teaching life skills.  And yes, outdoor skills.  Athletics.  How to be a gentleman.  How to treat women, children, and animals.  How to work hard.  How to put others first.

But here is the most important thing a Dad can do.  Teach your kids Jesus.  Nothing else comes close.  Nothing.  And nothing else really matters if they do not get Jesus.

So take them to church.  Talk about Jesus.  Why you do the things you do.  Why you don't do some things.  Read Scripture to them.  Pray over them and with them.  Work on your spiritual life.  Ask forgiveness.  Do better.  Baptize them.

There are a gazillion things I wish I had done differently as a Dad.  Things I wish I hadn't done.  Things I wish I had done.  Gave my kids a lot of baggage.  

But I got one thing right.  

Jesus.  My family is not perfect.  None of them.  And they are all still working out their faith, especially the grands.  But they know Jesus.

And in the overall scheme of things, that is what a good Dad does.  Give them Jesus.

And if you feel life you haven't done that... then start today.  Right now.  This Sunday.  Live your faith and share it with your family.  I don't care how old you are.  It is never too late to become a good Dad.

 The first time I mowed a yard, it was behind a push mower.  No power.  Just you.  That was hard.  I remember gas mowers.  I thought better tho I remember those skeptical that the cut was as good.  Then self-propelled.  Wow.  Then electric.  Oops.  Lots of cut cords.  Battery powered.  Fine if you remembered to keep battery charged.  Riding mowers.  Fantastic.  Unless you had a little yard with trees.  Then not so fantastic.  Zero turn.  This is what Jesus must have had in mind when he thought about mowing.  Wait... did Jesus even mow?  Or think about it.

Of course, the purpose of all of these is to cut grass.  Some are better.  Some don't work in every circumstance.  Some seem old fashioned.  Some seem a little scary at first.  Some aren't really better.

Reminds me of worship styles.  Music.  Dress.  Order.  How you give.  Wine or grape juice.  In the context of a meal.  Or not.  Leadership.  What are announcements anyway?  Worship?  Buildings.  And on and on..

Hand holder or hand folder.

Amen or just nod. 

I don't worship much like i did when I was growing up.  Well, except for communion.  And singing.  And Scripture.  Giving. 

OK. Maybe I do worship a lot like I always have.

Lots of superficial changes in worship.  Some better.  Some worse.  Some don't work unless you are big.  Or small.  

This is not to argue about worship styles or changes.

It is to say things change.  That can be good or bad.  

Just always remember the point of worship.

Is God glorified?

Do non-believers that visit see God?

Mowers and worship.  

Just a few thoughts while I was mowing our big backyard on my new zero turn mower.

 Christians live for today.  We do live in the past.  We are not promised the future, except...

We Christians live for today with on eye on the future.

One reason is because that is how you live for today.  We do know that we have a future that involves living with God forever.  That is the only way to truly let go enough to just live in the moment.  

Nothing can rob me of my future.  Not even death.  Jesus was raised from the dead and that assures me that I too will be raised from the dead.  I will live forever.

And the truth is, I could not live in this world of pain and death without the promise of the real life to come.

The life where there will be no more death, or sorrow, or pain.  Or even sin.  The life where God himself will wipe away all tears.  The life where I will see God face to face. 

The life that will be forever.

And that knowledge is what allows me to live in the moment today.

Don't live in the past.

Live for today.

Keep one eye on the future.

 You are not going to live in the past.  Remember the good times, don't be chained to them.  Get past your bad past.  Live forgiven.

So you can live for today.

Live for today because you are not promised tomorrow.  The Lord may return and there will be no tomorrow.  Accidents happen and people die.  It could be you.  Cancer, heart attacks, or any number of serious illnesses.  Natural disasters.  

Life is short.  Make plans but remember to center them in the Lord.  "If the Lord wills...".  There is a whole passage in the book of James that makes this point.  Be careful about planning the future because life is short and the future is not guaranteed. Plan, but only with the understanding that they are dependent on the will of God.

Live for today because something amazing will happen.  God has work for you to do.  Someone may need your help.  You may get a chance to say a word about Jesus.  Enjoy your family.  Live your life.  This is the day that the Lord has made.  Rejoice and be glad in it.

Living in this attitude is the key to life. 

God gave you this day.  Enjoy it.  Make the most of it.  

Live every day as if it is your last.

This is the day the Lord has made.