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ARE YOU A “LATTE” CHRISTIAN?

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CONNECTION BETWEEN A CHRISTIAN AND A LATTE

latteBy Ken Blue

Caffe Latte – “Strong espresso coffee with a topping of frothed steamed milk . Espresso- strong black coffee brewed by forcing hot water under pressure through finely ground coffee beans.”

A cute little saying by some preachers and evangelist, in an attempt to question Christian manliness, is to call them “Latte Christians.” What is implied or intended is to attack the sincerity and spirituality of believers in America. Somehow, the connection between the Christian and a latte is supposed to be a gauge of their spiritual maturity. Obviously, the Marlboro Man has never tasted a real cup of espresso.

The first espresso I ever tasted was at a sidewalk cafe in Athens, Greece. The cup was very small, and the coffee looked like crude oil straight from Iraq. The taste was even worse. I was no match for it. I needed two pots of hot water to dilute it to a drinking point. When I was through I had a quart of coffee.

Little did I realize that frothed steamed milk would transform this little cup of napalm, into a sissy drink called a “latte” that even I could handle. I like my coffee. My preferred drink is an espresso with foamy steamed milk and chocolate syrup, topped with whipped cream and cocoa powder. This is known as a “cafe Mocha.” It’s not quite as descriptive of us sissy Christians as the “latte.”

Oh well, up here in the North West, we aren’t allow to slap our wives or spit on the side walk any more. Don’t you just hate the emasculating of your manhood? I guess the only ones left who can have a “latte” are the women and closet sissies. Strong Christians must avoid it.

Contemporary Christianity

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Contemporary Christianity
Richard Sandlin

(Disclaimer: I cannot vouch for the salvation, sanctification or sound doctrine of this writer, but the article seem appropriate for the time)

“Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee”

Generally, we speak of Christianity in collective terms, but actually, it is distinctively individual. From our salvation at the beginning, till the Judgment Seat of Christ at the end, God deals with us one on one. And this is true of all that goes on in between.

Most certainly, our Heavenly Father has some basic rules that all the family is to adhere to, but these are for their well-being. Like any wise father, God does not dictate to his children’s preferences in tastes and likes. He allows them to be their own men or women in these.

One mark of a cult is seen in its strict regimentation. As one of my daughters used to say as a child, “They’re same-a-likes.” There is no elbow room in such collectivization for individualism. If you’re different in any way from the other robots, the Gestapo will report you to the Fuhrer.

Another characteristic of a cultic Christianity is that dedication is gauged by the things you give up. It matters little what kind of person you are, subtraction of things is the criteria for acceptance. These morbid members cannot give up a thing, without wanting everyone else to give it up.

There is a little tract entitled, “Others Can; You Can’t.” It leads one to believe spirituality is based on asceticism. But how about, “You Can; Others Can’t”? What a servant can or cannot do is between him and his Master, not another slave (Ro.14:4).

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BOOK: Preparing for the Ministry

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In this book, Pastor Ken Blue answers countless questions for young Ted Byler about the ministry. Now you too are able to glean from the forty years of experience Pastor Blue shares with Ted. Some of the questions dealt with:

  • How to choose a Bible College
  • How to assist
  • Should you assist or start your own church
  • The first things you should know
  • How to develop leaders
  • Where to expect problems
    Preparing for the Ministry
    Preparing for the Ministry

    The book may also be used in the class room and there are also forty-two questions for the student to answer.

    Order it today from: Open Door Baptist Church Bookstore!

 

BOOK: How To Assist Your Pastor

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Why is it so many assistant pastors fail in the ministry? Thirty five years of pastoring by Dr. Ken Blue has given him keen insight to what is lacking and what is needed to succeed in the ministry. In this book, Dr. Blue has gleaned information from both the Old and New Testaments and has skillfully and interestingly pointed out why assistants fail in their ministry. This book should be read by every person who serves in the local church. 47 pages an excerpt: History and Experience prove the impossibility of extending one’s influence beyond one’s personal reach without the help of others. And the key word in that sentence is “others.”

How To Assist Your Pastor
How To Assist Your Pastor

A pastor can only do the work of one man. He may fell that he is doing the work of others, and in fact, he may be doing the work that others should be doing, but he is still doing the work of one man. I am reminded of the frustration executive, who went to his boss and said, “I want a raise for I am doing the work of ten men.” His boss said, “Tell me who the ten men are and I will fire them.” The only way a pastor can hope to get more done is with capable, loyal leaders working for and with him. Order today.