“Humility senses that humility is a gift beyond our reach”
Posted by Tom Welch on August 18, 2009 under Essay | 
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Excellent blog from JP: Lewis and Edwards on the Layers of Self-Admiration :: Desiring God.
“Missional Xnty…” (guest blog)
Posted by Tom Welch on July 31, 2009 under Essay | Be the First to Comment
Being a missional Christian is simply following the way of Jesus, who was the greatest missionary. The Bible tells us that he came from heaven to earth to die for a lost and dying world. The following scriptures reveal how the mission of God was fulfilled through Jesus Christ and how we are called to continue and complete the Missio Dei in our culture:
- Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.” (John 4:34)
- “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.” (John 5:30)
- “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.” (John 6:38)
- “I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.” (John 7:29)
- “And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” (John 8:29)
- “We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.” (John 9:4)
- And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me.” (John 12:44-45)
- “For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak.” (John 12:49)
- “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” (John 13:20)
- “And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3)
- “For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me.” (John 17:8)
- “As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.” (John 17:18)
- Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” (John 20:21)
Featured Blog - “sub•text :: Summerbia Part 2: Connection Tools”
Posted by Tom Welch on July 30, 2009 under Essay | Be the First to Comment
A few weeks back I wrote about connecting with suburbanites during the summer. I mentioned participating in cultural events, being servants through things like coaching sports, and having hospitable events like cookouts. With 5 full weeks left we still have a lot of great opportunities to connect. I’ve noticed in my life and in the life of my family that 5 tools have stood out this summer as helpful for connecting with our neighbors. Here they are for you. I hope you’ll add to the list.
1. Invite Cards — My church, Doxa Fellowship, just recently had some branding work done and immediately had some invite cards created. If your church doesn’t have them, I highly recommend getting some done. They are simple, attractive business cards with key church info. On ours we have the church name, website and email on the front and our Sunday location and time, including a map, on the back.
Book review on PT’s blog
Posted by Tom Welch on July 2, 2009 under Essay | Be the First to Comment
Check out “Sabbatical Journal“
Humble Christians
Posted by Tom Welch on June 25, 2009 under Essay | Be the First to Comment
“Forgiven souls are humble. They cannot forget that they owe all they have and hope for to free grace, and this keeps them lowly. They are brands plucked from the fire – debtors who could not pay for themselves – captives who must have remained in prison for ever, but for underserved mercy – wandering sheep who were ready to perish when the Shepherd found them; and what right then have they to be proud? I do not deny that they are proud saints. But this I do say – they are of all God’s creatures the most inconsistent, and of all God’s children the most likely to stumble and pierce themselves with many sorrows.”
- J.C. Ryle
From Ed Stetzer - Small Churches Can Thrive
Posted by Tom Welch on June 22, 2009 under Essay | Be the First to Comment
Monday June 22, 2009 ~ 2 Comments
The July/August issue of Outreach Magazine features my article on small churches. Yep, small churches - I love ‘em! Especially when they are thriving on gospel and mission.
As a speaker at a number of conferences each year, I continue to see pastors and leaders going from one workshop to another searching for “THE” answer. They show up and hear amazing stories about implausibly happy people who willingly follow a new vision for their lives and their church.
They have heard all the strategies and promises, but for many small-church leaders, the conferences, led by rock star celebrity pastors, are like “ministry pornography”– an unrealistic depiction of an experience they’ll never have that distracts them from the real and wonderful thing. In other words, the lust of the megachurch distracts them from the mission of their church. (I’m not anti-big church–I preach at a megachurch every week– but I am also pro-small church.)
The reality is that smaller churches can thrive, too. More than 65 percent of the churches that participated in the research survey for Comeback Churches (B&H)–the book I co-wrote with Mike Dodson– had under 200 regular attendees. Smaller churches are not always unhealthy churches; it depends largely on their mindset. In our research, we found that the small churches which experienced revitalization often did so around prayer and outreach.
Sorting out “justification by faith” and the role of “works”…
Posted by Tom Welch on May 19, 2009 under Essay | 2 Comments to Read
Last week we talked about the importance of reading the Bible in context and seeing how different writers use words differently. For instance, James and Paul say the same thing about Faith and Works, but they approach the topic from two different vantage points. And when we look to see how the church has sorted the issues out, we see a remarkable consensus on “Faith that Works”!
Paul and James on “Justification” and “Works”
Paul |
James |
|
“For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.” (Romans 3:28) |
“You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” (James 2:24) |
| Focus: How a person gets into a right relation with God. Gentile Audience. | Focus: What that relationship must look like to receive God’s final approval. Jewish audience |
| Justify: The initial declaration of a sinner’s innocence before God - Romans 4:5
“Declare to be Righteous” |
Justify: The final verdict of innocent in the judgment - Luke 7:35
“Prove to be Righteous” |
| Faith: Not mere intellectual assent, but “Faith working through love” - Galatians 5:6 | Faith: An active faith that produces a changed life. James 2:14 |
| Abraham: Looks to an early episode of faith in God. Genesis 15:1-6 | Abraham: Looks to a later episode of acting on his faith: Genesis 22:9-14 |
| Works: A return to the law as a means for establishing or supplementing righteousness. | Works: The evidence and effects of true saving faith seen in acts of mercy and charity. |
| Misunderstood: To be an Antinomian! | Misunderstood: to be a Legalist! |
The Historical Record on “Justification” and “Works”
The Articles of Religion of the Methodist Church IX-XV (1794)
Article IX-Of the Justification of Man
We are accounted righteous before God only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, by faith, and not for our own works or deservings. Wherefore, that we are justified by faith, only, is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort.
Article X-Of Good Works
Although good works, which are the fruits of faith, and follow after justification, cannot put away our sins, and endure the severity of God’s judgment; yet are they pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ, and spring out of a true and lively faith, insomuch that by them a lively faith may be as evidently known as a tree is discerned by its fruit.
Westminster Confession of Faith CHAPTER XI.
Of Justification.
I. Those whom God effectually calls, He also freely justifies; not by infusing righteousness into them, but by pardoning their sins, and by accounting and accepting their persons as righteous; not for anything wrought in them, or done by them, but for Christ’s sake alone…
II. Faith, thus receiving and resting on Christ and His righteousness, is the alone instrument of justification: yet is it not alone in the person justified, but is ever accompanied with all other saving graces, and is no dead faith, but works by love.
HOW TO WEAKEN PRIDE AND CULTIVATE HUMILITY
Posted by Tom Welch on May 18, 2009 under Essay | Be the First to Comment
Last Sunday we talked about Battling the Unbelief of Pride in our Family Bible Hour Class. I have found C.J. Mahaney particularly helpful in this area. He is a pastor who loves the Saviour and his people dearly!
HOW TO WEAKEN PRIDE AND CULTIVATE HUMILITY
A List of Suggestions
Always:
1. Reflect on the wonder of the cross of Christ.
As Each Day Begins:
2. Begin your day by acknowledging your dependence upon God and your need for God.
3. Begin your day expressing gratefulness to God.
4. Practice the spiritual disciplines–prayer, study of God’s Word, worship. Do this consistently each day and at day’s outset, if possible.
5. Seize your commute time to memorize and meditate on Scripture.
6. Cast your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.
As Each Day Ends:
7. At the end of the day, transfer the glory to God.
8. Before going to sleep, receive this gift of sleep from God and acknowledge His purpose for sleep.
For Special Focus:
9. Study the attributes of God.
10. Study the doctrines of grace.
11. Study the doctrine of sin.
12. Play golf as much as possible.
13. Laugh often, and laugh often at yourself.
Throughout Your Days and Weeks:
14. Identify evidences of grace in others.
15. Encourage and serve others each and every day.
16. Invite and pursue correction.
17. Respond humbly to trials.
[Note: This list is taken from C. J. Mahaney, Humility: True Greatness (Multnomah, 2005), pp. 171-72. I would also highly recommend Mahaney’s great little book Living the Cross-Centered Life: Keeping the Gospel the Main Thing (Multnomah, 2006).
Simplified Missional Living
Posted by Tom Welch on May 4, 2009 under Essay | Be the First to Comment
Jonathan Dodson
Eat with Non-Christians
We all eat three meals a day. Why not make a habit of sharing one of those meals with a non-Christian or with a family of non-Christians? Go to lunch with a co-worker, not by yourself. Invite the neighbors over for family dinner. If it’s too much work to cook a big dinner, just order pizza and put the focus on conversation. When you go out for a meal, invite a non-Christian friend. Or take your family to family-style restaurants where you can sit at the table with strangers and strike up conversations. Have cookouts and invite Christians and non-Christians. Flee the Christian subculture.
Walk, Don’t Drive
If you live in a walkable area, make a practice of getting out and walking around your neighborhood, apartment complex, or campus. Instead of driving to the mailbox or convenience store, walk to get mail or groceries. Be deliberate in your walk. Say hello to people you don’t know. Strike up conversations. Attract attention by walking the dog, carrying along a 6-pack to share, bringing the kids. Make friends. Get out of your house! Last night I spent an hour outside gardening with my family. We had good conversations with about four of our neighbors. Take interest in your neighbors. Ask questions. Engage. Pray as you go. Save some gas, the planet, and some people.
Be a Regular
Instead of hopping all over the city for gas, groceries, haircuts, eating out, and coffee, go to the same places at the same times. Get to know the staff. Smile. Ask questions. Be a regular. I have friends at coffee shops all over the city. My friends at Starbucks donate a ton of leftover pastries to our church 2-3 times a week. We use them for church gatherings and occasionally give them to the homeless. Build relationships. Be a regular.
Hobby with Non-Christians
Pick a hobby that you can share. Get out and do something you enjoy with others. Try city league sports or local rowing and cycling teams. Share your hobby by teaching lessons, such as sewing, piano, knitting, or tennis lessons. Be prayerful. Be intentional. Be winsome. Have fun. Be yourself.
Talk to Your Co-workers.
How hard is that? Take your breaks with intentionality. Go out with your team or task force after work. Show interest in your co-workers. Pick four and pray for them. Form moms’ groups in your neighborhood and don’t make them exclusively non-Christian. Schedule play dates with the neighbors’ kids. Work on mission.
Volunteer with Non-Profits.
Find a non-profit in your part of the city and take a Saturday a month to serve your city. Bring your neighbors, your friends, or your small group. Spend time with your church serving your city. Once a month. You can do it!
Participate in City Events
Instead of playing XBox, watching TV, or surfing the net, participate in city events. Go to fundraisers, festivals, cleanups, summer shows, and concerts. Participate missionally. Strike up conversation. Study the culture. Reflect on what you see and hear. Pray for the city. Love the city. Participate with the city.
Serve Your Neighbors.
Help a neighbor by weeding, mowing, building a cabinet, or fixing a car. Stop by the neighborhood association or apartment office and ask if there is anything you can do to help improve things. Ask your local Police and Fire Stations if there is anything you can do to help them. Get creative. Just serve!
Resurgence Literature:
Re:Lit is a ministry of Resurgence. There you will find a growing line of books to help guide the resurgence of the new reformed. Find out more.
