SHOULD CHURCHES CONTINUE TO GROW

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By Ken Blue

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Regardless of the choice one makes, we cannot argue with the fact that God wants His church to witness to the lost. If a church is healthy, there should be constant professions of faith and growth in membership. If there are no professions of faith, there is something wrong with the evangelistic ministry. If there is no membership growth, there is something wrong with the organization.
How large should a church be? That is the question. There are those who believe a church should have one hundred or less in membership. Others pick a higher number, but not by much. On the other hand, there are those who see the “sky as the limit.”
I always had my sights on building a large church. The reason, no doubt, was the cultural mentality when we started Open Door, and my own personality. However, I never build the attendance I thought possible. Part of the problem was my own inability. Another, barrier was the size of our building. We were always at 80% capacity, or more. A church seldom grows beyond that percentage.
Although I never realized my vision, I can look back and see how God enlarged the ministry of Open Door in spite of me. This was accomplished by the many men and women who committed to fulltime service and built a ministry for the Lord.
There are 6 men from Open Door who are pastoring or have started churches in Washington State, 3 in Arizona, 1 California, 1 in Nebraska, 1 in Montana, 1 in Florida, 1 in Mexico, 1 in England, 1 Germany, and 1 in Michigan. These are the ones I remember, I am confident there are others. This was not my vision for Open Door, but God had a better plan.
I spoke recently to a pastor who averages about 400 in attendance. He said his goal was to start new churches in the surrounding communities with paid pastors from his church. These pastors and churches would be under the leadership and umbrella of the mother church. The new churches will be called “Campus Churches.” Dr. John Rawlins had a similar setup in Cincinnati, Ohio. He called them “Satellite Churches.”

Personally, I believe the pastor should let the church grow according to God’s increase, and one’s ability to pastor it. However, wisdom and the Holy Spirit may lead the pastor to start other churches with those members who live a great distance from the church.

Because of the cost involved in attempting to build buildings or rent facilities today, it is practically impossible to do it solo. Thus, the idea of starting other churches with existing members and a paid pastor may be the best method for starting new congregations. It is an idea worth considering.

HOG WALLOW AND DOG PUKE

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The foolishness of man

Foolishness of manBy Ken Blue
“But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” 2 Peter 2:22.

Human nature is a fragile thing and God warns us to guard it and not to tamper with it. It can be altered, twisted, bound, and distorted until we become slaves. One’s unwillingness to obey the truth is justified by questioning or scoffing at truth. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” Psalms 1:1.

The tampering process progresses one small act or thought at a time until the one who believes he is free becomes a slave to the flesh. Once I illustrated the foolishness of man in a sermon at Open Door. I ask Jerry Lundquist, one of the strongest men in our church to come to the platform. I took a spool of thread from my pocket and wrapped one strand around Jerry’s two wrists. Jerry broke it with ease.

Next, I wrapped his wrists with four strands, and again he broke them, but with greater difficulty. Finally, I wrapped about a dozen strands of sewing thread around his wrists and ask him to break them. He could not. This is the way our habits hold us and keep pulling us back to wallow and puke.

I spent my early years on a farm in Arkansas. We had several hogs and dogs. There were other animals, but these two illustrate the point. The hog pen reeked with their excretions. The wetter the mixture, the better and the more attractive it was to them. However, hogs do not have reasoning ability and they wallow in the mire to keep cool. The wallow is disgusting, but we don’t fault the hog. He is a brute beast.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Like the hog loves his wallow and the dog loves his vomit, so the sinner LOVES HIS SIN.[/pullquote]

Then there is the disgusting behavior of dogs. Many times I have seen dogs vomit and return and eat it. They do more disgusting things, but I won’t mention them. Of the two animals on earth, what two could God uses to better illustrate the foolishness of man; man who was made in God’s image and given reasoning power?

I know people who have been to detox over twenty times, only to return to their vomit each time. Men and women spend long years in prison, and most return within a year because they return to run with the pigs. I’ve watched men and women remove the oxygen tubes from their face so they can light up another cigarette. I personally spoke to a woman who ran a rehab facility. She confided in me that they were unable to do anything for any patient who did not want to clean up; and most do not.

Like the hog loves his wallow and the dog loves his vomit, so the sinner LOVES HIS SIN. He or she could get free if they really wanted to. All of them want their sin; they simply don’t want the misery that goes with it. But, you can’t have one without the other. When you really get serious about giving up the wallow and the puke, God will deliver you.

It doesn’t take long for the wicked heart to open wide for sin. Remember, it only took a few strands of thread to bind the strong man, and you are no match for the wiles of the Devil. Flee sin and you can avoid the dogs vomit and the hog pen.

PSALM TWENTY-TWO

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By Ken Blue

“Why hast thou forsaken Me?” was the mystery cry.
“Our fathers trusting in Thee, and found You were nigh.
“While trusting Thee, they were delivered,
They called and were set free.
Mine enemies said; ‘let’s watch, and see’.”

“Gentiles compass me about, as wild, raving beast.
The assembly pierced my hands, my side, and my feet.
My cry for water went unheeded.
For my clothes; they cast lots.
Be not far from helping me; Thou that changeth not.”

“In resurrection power, the LORD will deliver me.
In the midst of My brethren, yet, will I praise Thee.
Praise Him all ye seed of Israel.
Jacob, glorify Him.
Those who seek our GOD; He will save them.”

Nations will acknowledge; all kindred’s worship thee.
The Kingdom is the LORD’S; their Governor He will be.
“An eternal seed shall worship You.
The righteous shall come;
Declaring boldly, what GOD hath done.”

HOW TO RESOLVE CONFLICTS BETWEEN CHURCH MEMBERS

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CONFLICTS ARE INEVITABLE
Conflicts

By Ken Blue

“He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.” Proverbs 26:17.

If we spend much time with people, we will find that conflicts are inevitable. This was true of the Lord’s Disciples, of Paul and Barnabas and the early church. Since we are vulnerable, we must do all we can to avoid conflict, and seek to help others whenever possible.

The best thing to do is to avoid conflicts that do not concern you; read the above verse again. A good rule to remember is; advice unsolicited is usually unheeded, and unappreciated. Also, if you take sides in a church conflict, expect to lose those involved.

A young pastor came to me some years ago and related the following story. Some families were arguing among themselves. One family came to the pastor and laid out their side of the story. Afterwards, the pastor said, “It sounds silly to me, and the other family is wrong.” That was all the family needed. They went immediately to the other family and told them word for word what the pastor said. The other family never came back to church and in time the other left also.

Another situation involved young people and drugs. The pastor warned a father that he would be wise to keep his teen from the others. The father told his teen, the teen told the teens in question and they told their parents what the pastor had said about them. You guessed it; the pastor now had all the parents to deal with just to avoid a stoning. Remember, even a police officer warns a criminal that what he says can and will be used against him in a court of law. I am telling you, what you say will be used against YOU. So, be careful that you never say anything that can be turned against you, no matter who you are talking with.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Many problems will heal themselves, if the pastor remains un-involved.[/perfectpullquote]

When people come to you, hear them out. Sometimes that and a little advice is all it will take. Many conflicts are over a misunderstanding between believers. Sometimes you can clear things up after hearing both parties. Don’t hesitate to point out the error of the person you are talking to, if needed. However, don’t say anything negative about the other persons unless you have no problem with them relaying your comments.

Pray for wisdom and seek advice from another pastor. Don’t mention names. Sometimes it is wise to meet with each family separately first, then bring them together when you have the facts and a plan for reconciliation.

You will find, in many cases, by the time you are brought into the counseling session the damage has already gone beyond reconciliation, and nothing you do will heal the bitterness and hurt. All you can do then is pray for those involved and be available if needed.

One last thought. Many problems will heal themselves, if the pastor remains un-involved. A major mistake pastors make, is thinking they must get involved and resolve every conflict. In many cases, the best thing you can do is stay out of it! Warren Wiersbe said, “Little frogs look big is small ponds; stop fighting frogs and make the pond bigger.”

A DUO OF FOOLS

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By Ken Blue

“And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat each on his throne, having put on their robes, in a void place in the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them.” 1 Kings 22:10.

Neither robes nor thrones keep men from being wicked and fools. The throne does not make one a king, and the robe does not mean one is royalty. We see both truths illustrated in the two men before us. Ahab was a wicked fool, and Jehoshaphat was a blind fool.

Ahab was the king if the ten Northern tribes; known as Israel. Jehoshaphat was king of the two Southern tribes; known as Judah. There was no limit to the wickedness of Ahab. He killed God’s prophets, set up idols for Israel to worship, had Naboth killed in order of steal his vineyard, rejected the Word of God, and secured his own false prophets.

Ahab had repeated wars with Syria and had won the last two, in spite of his incomplete obedience. He decided the time had come to attack Syria and reclaim certain cities. He contacted Jehoshaphat, asking him and his army to join him in this venture.

Sad to say, Jehoshaphat traveled to Samaria and met with Ahab. They felt they should seek God and ask how the battle would go. Both, Ahab and Jehoshaphat donned their royal robes and sat in an elevated place at the gate.

Jehoshaphat was nervous and asks Ahab to seek advice of the prophets. Four hundred of Ahab’s prophets were available. Each one assured the kings that victory for Israel was certain. However, Jehoshaphat still was not convinced and asks Ahab if a prophet of LORD was available. There was one, but Ahab hated him and had him in prison. Jehoshaphat persuaded Ahab to send for him.

Micaiah, the prophet of the LORD was brought before the kings and ask how the battle would go. He assured them that Israel would be defeated. In fact, he assured Ahab that he would be killed. In a fit of rage, Ahab sent him back to prison to be afflicted. However, true to form, Ahab was a wicked fool and went against the Word of the LORD again.

We are reluctant to call Jehoshaphat a fool, but we can come to no other conclusion. What was he doing joining with the likes of Ahab? Why did he sit by and allow Micaiah to be mistreated and returned to prison? But, these are not the extent of his stupidity. Notice the suggestion Ahab makes, and that Jehoshaphat went along with it! (?). “And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and enter into the battle; but put thou on thy robes. And the king of Israel disguised himself, and went into the battle.” 1 Kings 22:30.

If there are two men in the Bible more stupid than these two, I don’t know who they would be. Ahab was wicked and stupid. And what can we say of Jehoshaphat? Ahab should have worn a t-shirt that said, “I’m with stupid.”

There is a lesson for all of us. Don’t assume that preachers who are esteemed royalty and held in high esteem are either good or wise; they might be otherwise.