Church Requel Blog - Writings of Mark Pierce

33 Pastors Defy IRS - Risk Losing Exempt Status

This past weekend 33 pastors in 22 different states endorsed specific candidates for President of the United States.  I have been unable to find the entire list of pastors or find their choices, but in my reading it seems that most, if not all, have endorsed McCain.  Or they spoke decisively against Obama.  This is all part of the Pulpit Initiative sponsored by the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF).  The ADF has provided a one-page description of what the Pulpit Initiative is and is not.

The blogs that I have read over the past 24 hours have had a great deal to say about this development.  Some question both the wisdom and the priority of this action.  Others suggest that the IRS should not have the right to withhold tax-exempt status.  If you would like to read their thoughts, check out:

• Monday Morning Insight
• Out of Ur
• Learnings @ Leadership Network
• Catalyst

For my own part, I'm continuously amazed how the evangelical church likes to shoot itself in the foot.  Is this really the most important issue we can be fighting right now?  The government is not saying who can be a church or who cannot be a church.  They ARE saying who can and cannot have tax exempt status.  It seems to me that the issue of the right to freedom of speech from the pulpit has been confused with the right of tax-exempt status.  The first is provided for in the constitution, not the second.

I was speaking with our Pastor of Small Groups, Deering Dyer about this very topic this afternoon.  Deering was involved in the political world before becoming a pastor here at Crossroads, so he knows the issue very well.  Here is his argument:

Would churches exist without tax exempt status?  Yes.  The IRS is not hindering churches' freedom of speech, their first amendment right.  Churches could exist without the tax exempt status.  BUT if we're going to enjoy the benefits of tax-exempt status, we should be submissive to the governing authorities (Romans 13), which in this case is the IRS.

Deering makes a good case.  I wonder how the parishioners in these 33 churches feel about their pastors' risking their tax exempt status over this issue?  It will be interesting to see how many of these pastors still remain pastors in these churches five years from now.

For my own part, I don't want to be in the political field.  It's far too limiting.  The way I see it, we pastors can change the world in ways politicians can only dream of.  While it's true that politicians are involved in changing laws, we pastors are involved in changing lives.  Which will change society the most in the long run?

Homiletics Begins Today

Today I begin a new course at Ashland Theological Seminary:  Homiletics.  I am about 1/3 finished with my seminary studies.  I am definitely taking the slow road to completion.  I only take one course at a time, because I don't want my studies to interfere with my job at Crossroads or my family life at home.  I figure I can take one course at a time, enjoy it, benefit from it, but not be overwhelmed by it.  There are two drawbacks to this strategy: cost and time.  It is the most expensive way to take classes because one doesn't benefit from the cost breaks with more classes.  It also takes more time.  There are 36 courses one must complete for the M.Div. degree, normally a 3-year program for full-time students.  I've already been going for 3 years and I figure at this rate I have another 6 years in front of me.

However, I'm absolutely loving everything I am learning.  I also love being with the many other students at ATS.  I figured I would be the oldest one there when I first signed up.  I have since found this not to be the case as many other second career men and women are also in my classes.  It's a great mix of younger and older students.

Homiletics is the study of preaching.  I am really looking forward to this class, because this is something that I already do in my present job at Crossroads.  But like all my other classes, I'm sure I will learn many new things I don't know OR will confirm some of the things I've learned on my own.  The course description is as follows:

The basic course in homiletics is designed to introduce students to the history, theories, methods and purposes of preaching.  The course is designed to introduce students to a variety of methods for the development, delivery, and evaluation of sermons.  The students will be aided in understanding how to do biblical exegesis for preaching and how to use a lectionary or some other method of text and topic selection that will allow them to keep their preaching biblically focused and doctrinally solid.

Our textbooks are The Burdensome Joy of Preaching, by James Earl Massey and Living Water for Thirsty Souls by Marvin McMickle.

The schedule today will be challenging.  Usually I take evening classes.  But this quarter I registered for a Monday afternoon class.  Mondays are my day off, so I figured this would work out well.  However, I'm still returning from vacation.  Hopefully I've worked it out so that I arrive in time for my 1:30 PM class.

The 2008 Bloggle Awards

Did you know about the Bloggle Awards?  I learned yesterday that the Bloggle Awards have both nominations and winners for 2008.  All of the Crossroads' blogs are too young to have been considered, but there is always the possibility for next year! 

The reason I mention this is that the list of Bloggle Award nominees make for a pretty interesting list of great blogs, if you are interested in reading about the church world.  Here is a list of the nominees for the "Best Blog, Pastor" category:

• Velocity by Dave Ferguson;
• Leading Smart by Tim Stevens; 
• Life Church.tv:  Swerve by Craig Groeschel and Bobby Gruenewald - Also the winner! 
• Perry Noble dot com by Perry Noble; 
• Tony Morgan Live by Tony Morgan; 
• Without Wax by Pete Wilson

According to Marty Holman, the founder and judge of the Bloggle Awards, "this [category] was the hardest to judge.  These blogs are amazing!"  I have to agree.  The first five are already in my Google Reader.  I'm planning on adding Without Wax right away.  If you have the time, check out these blog sites.  You'll be glad you did!

On the Road Again

36 miles down and over 700 miles to go.  Already I'm bored.  I wonder how things are going back at Crossroads?

Ron Biddle Blogs From Asia

I just found out that Ron Biddle and company made it safely to Asia, where they will spend the next two weeks on a short term mission trip with Asia's Hope.  Ron began a blog shortly before he left with the intent to write about his experiences in Asia.  It looks like he has been able to find the right connections as he has written two articles in the past two days.  I highly recommend everyone checking out www.ronbiddle.com on a daily basis over the next couple weeks.  You should also consider praying for the whole team while you are at it!

This Weekend All About the "Dash"

Since you read this blog you are entitled to be an "insider."  This 4-minute video was created just for this weekend's service, the beginning of our One Month To Live series.  Steve Browning, Maureen Browning, Duke Weller and the entire Crossroads drama team did a great job.  Hopefully, when you watch this video, you will be reminded that we have created the next four services with your friends and family in mind.  So make sure you invite someone new to come with you to Crossroads this weekend!

Charlie Dyer's Talk Was Great!

I just watched Charlie Dyer's talk from last weekend at Crossroads.  Charlie was a guest speaker at Crossroads.  When he is not speaking or taking people on trips to Israel, Charlie is the Provost and Dean of Education at Moody Bible Institute.

Charlie's talk was awesome in so many respects!  Maybe it was just a matter of my own soul needing refreshed.  Maybe it was Charlie's expertise from a lifetime of study of the Scriptures.  Most likely it was the graciousness of our heavenly Father who knew just when to provide the message to me personally after a week of my vacation and relaxation. 

I readily admit that I have been carrying too many burdens of the church on my own shoulders lately.  I had a discussion with some close friends before we left.  They reminded me of what I have so often said myself:  Crossroads is Jesus' church, not mine.  The burdens I carry are his not mine.  I need to release them to Him.

I don't know about you, but I find that sometimes I don't do this as well as I should.  I can't explain it, but after awhile of taking on more and more, and even turning it over more and more to our Lord, there comes some times when the burdens just seem to hang around.  I thought I'd given them all over and was trusting God to take care of things.  But then I ask myself if that's the case, why am I still burdened?

For weeks I've been waiting for this vacation.  If only I could make it to vacation and get a week of R&R.  But I needed more than R&R.  I really needed God's refreshing and renewal.  I feel like I've received that this morning, my last day of vacation.

This morning, Mary Kay and I watched the Charlie Dyer video from last weekend's service at Crossroads.  His talk was titled "Comfort in Discouraging Times."  His text was Isaiah 40.  His talk was just wonderfully encouraging.  God is bigger than I can imagine.  God is present.  God wants to carry me.  My problems, no matter how big, are as a drop of water, a speck of dust, nothing, even less than nothing to God.  My job is to wait upon the Lord.  How do I do that?  I (figuratively) spread my wings (like the eagle) and with little effort on my part, soar upon the currents of God's power and strength.

If you haven't seen Charlie's message yet, subscribe to the video podcast, or subscribe to the audio podcast, or download the audio file.   If you were at Crossroads last weekend, my recommendation is that you get your own copy by one of the methods above and listen to the talk again.  It's one of those talks that is worth hearing again and again! 

Mega Church Mega Study

The Hartford Institute for Religious Research released a study last week on current mega church trends.  A mega church is one of 1200 Protestant churches in America with over 2,000 people in weekly attendance. The study compares results from the years 2000, 2005 and 2008.  The study is quite long and detailed, so if you would really like to study the results you may wish to download the 15-page PDF file and print it out.

Most churches in the mega church category continue to show similar results in 2008 as they did in 2005 and 2000.  Specifically these churches:

• Grow in size,
• Lead the way as America's most multi-ethnic class of church,
• Show a strong bias toward contemporary worship, and
• Remain minimally involved in politics.

However, there are some new trends in these large Protestant churches over the past several years.  They are now:

• Offering more worship services and expanding to multiple-locations,
• Shifting to playing a greater role in community service,
• Decreasing their use of radio and television, and
• Putting greater emphasis on the role of small groups.

It is valuable to review this report in one hand and evaluate Crossroads with the other.  In many ways we are experiencing the same trends.  We are considering multiple locations, have a greater role in the community, and are watching our small groups expand in importance.  However, unlike many other mega churches, we have not experienced the same significant growth in attendance over the last 3 years.

Outer Banks Vacation Photo Album

For those that want to see the pictures of the vacation so far, check out the new photo album that I created today.  I readily admit to taking way too many pictures of my granddaughters.  So if you are not in the mood for cute with a capital "C", then don't click on the link.  This is just a start.  I plan to add new pictures every day, so you may want to bookmark and come back again later.  One more thing... in case you can't tell, I LOVE VACATION!

First Experience with ESV Study Bible

This morning during my quiet time I was reading from 1 John.  I was particularly focused on the fact that John so often emphasizes the reasons for his own writing.  For example in 1:4 John writes, "And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete."  I thought to myself that this is also why I want to write, both in my journal and here on the blog, so that my joy may be complete.  In other words, Christ dwells so richly in my heart that I must write it down so that others may know the same joy as I do!

While I was in my personal quiet time I thought to myself, 'I wonder what the ESV Study Bible has to say about this?'  Yesterday I posted that the ESV Study Bible Blog had made several sections public, including all of 1 John.  So I opened up the PDF file that I had copied yesterday and read it.  Sure enough I found the following note in the Introduction describing the genre of 1 John:

Yet on several counts it is highly letter-like, as seen from the expressed motive of shared joy (1:4), the repeated mentions of the act and purpose of writing to his recipients (13 uses of the Gk. verb “I write”), and the many instances of direct address to the readers.

I am very excited about the release of the ESV Study Bible for the benefit of our Crossroads congregation.  I believe this could help many of our people take the next step in their spiritual maturity.  Here are some of my first observations about this bible from my study this morning:

Never Let the Truth Get in the Way of a Good Story

My dad and blogging are made for each other.  Dad to me, Walt to most others, is well known for "never letting the truth get in the way of a good story."   He and I are vacationing together down in the Outer Banks this week.  Knowing him to be a master story teller and knowing that he wants to share his long tricycle trip coming up this winter, I asked him if he would like to start a blog this week.  His answer was typical.  "Sure.  Let's do it."  You can read it by going to www.walsinepierce.com.

There are many things I love about my dad.  But one of the best things about him is that at age 77 he is still living life to the full, discovering and trying new things.  Blogging is just the most recent example.  Back at home he has a tadpole style, recumbent tricycle waiting in a box to be unpacked.  He has plans to spend a week with my brother, Todd, to put it together and give it a maiden voyage camping trip.  If everything goes as planned, he will take a tour across the Southwest United States later this winter.

Dad loves to do so many things.  Not only is he a master story teller, but he is also a master pie baker.  People in his church and neighborhood pay premium prices at fund raising events to get a hold of one of Dad's pies.  (I get mine for free!)  Since his retirement, Dad has hiked the Appalachian Trail, toured Ireland with just a backpack on his back, and sailed down the Ohio River in a sailboat he rebuilt.

I know Dad wants to write his blog to let everyone know how he's doing on his upcoming bike trip.  But I want him to write down his stories so my children's children will forever know how Dad never let the truth get in the way of a good story.  Why don't you stop over to his blog today, and drop him a comment to let him know you were there?

Sticky Notes Gone Wild

This is definitely worth watching.  Someone had way too much time on their hands.  If you'd like to see the HD version, go here.

EepyBird's Sticky Note experiment from Eepybird on Vimeo.

ESV Study Bible - A Great New Resource!

A couple weekends ago I mentioned the ESV Study Bible from the pulpit and told many of our parishioners at Crossroads that if they wanted a study bible, this would be the one to own.   While on vacation this week, I've been checking out the ESV Study Bible Blog.  This is definitely worth the investigation.  I found so many different articles and examples of things that will be included in this study bible.  Here are just a few of the items worth reading:

• A 14-page PDF file of the book of 1st John
• A complete list of 50 essays included, along with links to 8 articles that have been published online
• The introduction to Ephesians along with the 1st chapter and notes
• The introduction to Colossians along with the 1st chapter and notes
• Links to interviews with the notes author of Ephesians and one of the contributors to Colossians

One of the greatest features of the ESV Study Bible is that all purchasers of the print version automatically receives rights to the use of the online version of the ESV Study Bible.  Check out this descriptive video of the online advantage:

Ron Biddle's Blog Debuts

I'm excited to report that Ron Biddle has launched a new blog.  His blog is easy enough to remember:  ronbiddle.com.  But in case you ever need to find his blog, you can always get there from mine.  I have added his blog to the list of Crossroads blogs in my sidebar.  Ron is our Director of Membership.  This is a relatively new role for him, but a perfect role for his gifts and personality.  The plain truth is that everyone likes Ron.  It seems as if he is everyone's friend at Crossroads.

Ron is Lori's husband.  Lori is our Director of Magnification.  So these two together form a powerful ministry team and have played a vital role in our church's short history.   And for those who have been reading the news about Crossroads from other places, Lori has proven herself to be a prolific blogger.  We'll see if Ron can keep up! 

Everything that Ron does has a purpose behind it.  I know he has been thinking about getting started with a blog of his own for awhile.  So why now?  In two days, he and a team of seven people from Crossroads will be leaving for a short term mission trip to Asia.  He will be working with a mission organization known as Asia's Hope.  Ron plans on keeping everyone back home posted on their work abroad by using his blog.  So if you'd like to know what is going on with the trip, keep checking back regularly on his blog.

Ron has been a great friend of mine.  For most of my time at Crossroads, he has also been my boss.  He remains one of my dearest friends.  I know his relationship with Christ to be a close one and his work at Crossroads to be kingdom driven.  Tomorrow night at Crossroads, he and his team will be prayed over during the Midweek service.  It will be one of the things I will truly miss by being on vacation.  Ron, may God bless you richly over these next two weeks.  I look forward to watching and reading your stories from Asia.  Good providence!

Lazin Around and Eatin

I think I'm finally getting into vacation mode.  I'm writing from the servants quarters down below.  You can see my point of view at the small picture on the right.  The top bunk bed is where I tried to sleep the first night.  After too many squeaks I gave up and moved in with Mary Kay down below.  I'm sitting at a small round table with the Beach Boys blaring from my iTunes. 

This may be the best day weather wise that we get this week.  There's quite a breeze outside, but the sun is shining.  The forecast is for rain the next few days with gale force winds possible.  Oh well... vacation is mostly inside the mind anyway, right? We are eating like crazy.  With my Dad along, we are sure never to go hungry.  On the left you can see him making a delicious apple pie last night.  For supper we had corn chowder and cornbread.  It was so delicious and so good looking I took a picture and sent it to my two daughters in college, who couldn't go with us.  They both wrote back wishing they were here instead of there.  Can't blame them. 

This morning I think Dad was having way too much fun, though.  Mary Kay and I were sound asleep at 8:30 when we heard Jennifer, our oldest daughter, knocking on our "servants quarters" door.  Thinking something must surely be wrong we padded to the door expecting a hurricane or something.  Jennifer, who had been up for awhile with the granddaughters told us that Grandpa sent her down to let us know that breakfast was ready.  Dad had gotten up early and made us all bisquets and gravy.  I have to admit it was really good... once I woke up!

The best part of the vacation is the fun we are having with our grandchildren.  The picture to the left is of Violet, who almost managed to climb up into the lighthouse room with the teak floors.  She climbed up three stairs fine, then realized what she had done.  Frightened, she wouldn't climb up the fourth and final step.  Below is my son-in-law, Mike, with my granddaughter Sicily swimming in the pool.  She was willing to brave the pool so long as she could hang onto her daddy.  Earlier today I took a walk and saw Jonathan and his boys briefly.  I'm hoping that sometime soon we'll be able to get all the grandkids together to have some fun together. 

That's enough for now.  Don't want to turn my vacation into a long blog.  Although one other fun aspect of this trip is that I'm helping my dad set up his own blog.  He's having lots of fun with it.  And I'm having fun watching him.  We hope to unveil it before the week is over.  I'll write again tomorrow.

Webber's Watch Welcomes Us

We arrived to our vacation home in Salvo, NC on the Outer Banks about 5 PM yesterday.  As you can see from the photo on the left, this place is absolutely amazing.  There are five bedrooms, each with it's own bathroom.  We are across the road from the ocean - only a 5 minute walk.  The home has several large, open areas for the family to get together.  This morning I'm sitting at a long, rectangular table that comfortably seats twelve people.  There is also a large, hexagonal room, with a teak floor and wooden plank walls framing large windows, which looks out onto the ocean.  It's fantastic!

I wish you could have seen the five of us walking through the house and discovering all the nooks and crannies - and figuring out who would sleep where!  Marilyn, Mary Kay's mom, took the bedroom with the computer in it so she can play bridge with all of her Yahoo friends late into the evening.  Dad and Julie took the bedroom on the top floor, which is the same level as most of the living space, so they wouldn't have as many steps to walk up and down.  We saved one bedroom, with a beautiful, iron-rod, queen-sized bed, for my daughter Jennifer and her husband Mike.  This bedroom is also next to the bedroom with 5 single beds - two bunks and a twin-sized bed, a grandchild heaven! (Jennifer and Mike and their two daughters are scheduled to arrive around noon today, after driving through the night.)  Jonathan, Bethany, and their two boys are staying with Bethany's family about a mile away.  Some night we might get all the grandchildren together in the bunk beds!

Mary Kay and I took the "servant's quarters" on the bottom floor.  This bedroom is more like an efficiency apartment with an unusual bunk bed - a double bed on the bottom with a twin bunk above.  I actually tried to sleep on the bunk bed last night - a call back to my college days.  I was fine with it, but Mary was a little scared being below.  Every time I'd roll over the bed would creak something fierce.  Finally Mary Kay and I gave it up about 2 AM and I moved back to the bottom bed.  Cozy!

Last night Dad and I watched the NFL football game on TV.  While I was watching the game, I set up a new blog for Dad on Blogger.  He is SO EXCITED.  We're going to work on this together during vacation.  What a great vacation project!  Lots to do and lots of fun.  I plan on posting regularly about the great times we're having here, so check back often.  Maybe I'll get a photo album up soon!

Virginia Welcomes Us

 

We got off to a lazy start this morning - not until 9:30 or so.  Although in fairness, Marilyn (Mary Kay's mom) and I went to 7:30 Mass together.  Then we found out one of our tires was almost flat.  So we got air and are keeping our fingers crossed.  Here Mary Kay and me are standing in front of the Virginia map at the welcome center.  It was a welcomed break!

Windmills at Work

 

Driving by the hills of Pennsylvania we saw these cool windmills.  I'm already having so much fun!  (I actually grabbed this shot while driving - is that amazing or what?)

Roadside Break

 

We are on our way to the Outer Banks.  Here's my dad and me eating at a Roy Rogers Restaurant on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.  Man, do I ever need a vacation!

What is Local Church Part 5: Ordinances

Last night at Midweek I continued our series, What is the Local Church?  Part 5 deals with the topic of Ordinances.  What is the difference between an ordinance and a sacrament?  When did sacraments begin playing a role in the church?  Why do some churches have seven sacraments, but Crossroads celebrates only two ordinances?  Here are my sermon notes from yesterday. I've made three of my Word document files available for download:

• my teaching notes
• the program with answers
• the program without answers

You can also listen in to this September 17, 2008 teaching by downloading the audio file or by subscribing to the podcast.  (Want to understand more about podcasts?  Check out this Podcast FAQ!)  Of course, you can just read the sermon (without formatting) in this post: