Making the most of the month of June...

Making the most of the month of June…

Today starts a month of celebration within our country that seeks to normalize a behavior that stands in complete opposition to the truth of Scripture. Without a doubt, you will see Gay Pride permeate most of our cultural institutions from social media, news outlets, streaming services, corporations, and even elements of our current American government. Recent studies have shown an alarming trend within American youth as this movement has continued to pick up steam and popularity within our culture. A recent study by the Public Religion Research Institute found that 28% of those 18-25 now identify with the LGBTQ moniker bringing the staggering reality that over 1 in 4 Gen Z adults hold to this identity.  The numbers are up from 16% in the Millennial generation. The issue is not going away and the likelihood is only increasing that we will have it connect to our lives through someone we know. With something so widespread and expanding, it can often feel daunting as a Christian, or even perhaps hopeless for the next generation. However, we know the power of the Gospel; no one is too far away to be changed by the power of the cross! Yet, with this ever-increasing wave of support and approval, even by some claiming to be Christians, how do we stand for the Biblical truth that we know is crucial for our world to hear?

First, we recognize sinners are merely that: sinners. There is no extra sin that makes it impossible for someone to turn to Christ. Often, those within the LGBTQ community have an impression of Christianity that is filled with hate, bigotry, phobia, and condescension. We understand these perspectives are often attributed to things that don’t truly fit the criteria. Our culture often interprets a Biblical stance on a sexual ethic as being hateful and bigoted. Some Christians have not been helpful in assuaging this opinion through their hateful words and unchristlike spirit. We have all experienced the sidewalk evangelists telling those passing that all the gays are going to hell, often using far stronger language. This does not show the love and spirit of Christ. I am not saying to compromise on truth, not at all. However, I am challenging us with how we present the truth. We must recognize our own position as broken sinners saved by the grace of God and allow that spirit to work through us as we share that hope with a lost and broken generation.

Second, we must be honest and faithful in our approach to the topic. As Dr. Branch has said many times while with us, the phone has allowed a whole generation to be parented by people outside the home who have very little care for the well-being of the individual on the other end of the phone. As parents and Christian leaders within our church, we must have these conversations with our young people, because the world is certainly trying to do the same exact thing. When they have questions, be faithful and patient to answer them. Instead of yelling about the evils of our generation, seek to educate your young people about what the Bible says on the topic of sexual ethics. Give them the weapons and tools to fight against the arguments and pulls of our current culture. There are certainly things that we as parents should want to protect our children from, but the truth of Scripture and how it fits into our culture should not be one of those things. Especially our older teens preparing for their lives as followers of Christ in the surrounding culture. The likelihood that someone they work with, go to school with, or play sports with becoming a part of this ever-growing community is only increasing. So, help your young person know what God has to say on the topic. Teach them how to handle themselves in these types of conversations. Teach them to have the boldness to stand for what they believe, even when that may be the most unpopular and socially detrimental thing they could do because living for Christ matters.

During this month, consider taking some time and walking through as a family with your young people some age-appropriate ways to help them process where we stand as followers of Christ and how our mission as followers of Christ fits into this culture. Give them the tools that let them stand with grace and charity on the truth that God cares about our sexual ethics and how we live our lives.

Serving Together,

Derek Whitman

The Command to Missions…

This past week, I was finishing up some college assignments, and one assignment focused on a missionary named Nik Ripken, and how he became a missionary. The reason I was tasked with studying Nik Ripken is because he did not have a “personal calling” to the foreign mission field. Nik Ripken simply referenced Matthew 28:19-20.

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” For Nik Ripken, the command in Scripture to go into all the world was enough of a calling.  

Now, to be fair, we do see God specifically call certain individuals in Scripture. The 12 apostles, Peter, and Barnabas are all personally called by God for a specific mission. However, we also see men like Timothy, Mark, and Silas who do not receive a calling from God, yet they obey the command of God by serving in foreign missions. Ultimately, we see God can work through specific calling in individuals, but God also works through men and women who simply obey the clear commands found in Scripture.  

As I read Nik’s story, I reflected on my own thoughts toward missions. I realized that I have consistently assumed that God would specifically call people to go into foreign fields. I had never really considered God’s command in Scripture as enough of a “calling.” This shift in my thought process required me to consider if I should go into foreign missions, and it required me to consider how I am obeying God’s command to evangelize all nations.  

• Am I following the mission of God locally, where I am?  

• Am I supporting the mission of God in foreign fields, financially, and through prayer?

• Could God use me in a foreign field?  

• Am I willing to go to a foreign field, even if I do not receive some “personal calling” from God?

While I do not believe that every Christian should go into foreign missions, I believe every Christian should struggle through the decision to go into foreign missions. The fact that God has not called each of us to a specific field does not disqualify us from obeying the command of Christ to spread the gospel to all nations. During this Missions Month perhaps it is a good time for us to consider how can each of us be involved in the mission of God, locally and globally?

Serving Together,

Tyler Boggess

The complacency of 2.5%

As we head into missions month, let’s broach a topic that I am sure will be uncomfortable at first — the money talk. It’s a conversation that needs to happen within churches, but often gets a negative sentiment attached to it. Sadly, I think the negative sentiment is often attached to our own selfishness and consumerism here in the US. American Christians, while being the most affluent, sadly give at very underwhelming amounts. 

Here are some stats to give some perspective. Based on a recent study in 2021, it was found that the average American Christian gives roughly 2.58% of their income to gospel endeavors through their church. Beyond that, the same study found that roughly 25% of American Christians surveyed gave nothing that year. Let that sink in for a minute. We live in the most affluent country in one of the most affluent times with the ability to make the most impact globally, and 25% are giving nothing to gospel endeavors. 

Based on their recent stats, the SBC, which is the largest US evangelical denomination, gave $200,000,000 to domestic and foreign missions. We would all look at that figure and go, “wow, that’s a ton of money!” I would agree it is a large figure, but let me give you some perspective. The SBC has roughly 13,000,000 members, which would mean that the average amount given to missions per member is 15 dollars…for the entire year. In our affluence, 15 dollars in a year for gospel efforts is an embarrassing lack of grace in our lives, and the evidence of a temporal worldview. 

Why do I mention this? The heart behind this article is not to guilt trip you into giving to missions. However, it should bring thought and consideration about what we are doing in our lives financially for the gospel. Through the early church, you see a pattern of churches giving so that the gospel efforts can continue through church planting and evangelism. You see proactivity within the church leadership of calling the brothers and sisters to grace-fueled sacrificial giving. Giving is not something that a believer must be forced into…giving should be a natural byproduct of the spirits working in our lives. 

Last week, we shared the revamp of our missions giving here at Faith. The goal is to increase our personal investment in ministering to our missions partnerships, and to deepen our heart for being used by God to further the Gospel. How are you stewarding God’s funds for eternal purposes? In what ways are you growing in grace to give sacrificially towards missions efforts? 

Are you in the 25% percent of American Christians who give nothing to the gospel mission? Christ has freed you to more, and provided the finances in your life to steward for Him. If you are giving, how can you take a step forward to continue to grow in grace about Gospel efforts?

Begin praying now, as we prepare for Missions Month about how God might use you to make an impact in gospel endeavors around the world. Visit includefaith.org/missions and take the step of committing to financial partnership with our missionaries and church planters globally. It is easy in our culture to find reasons we can’t give. Maybe this is an opportunity to ask, what is the focus of my life financially? Am I living temporally, or am I seeking to make the most eternal impact I can with what I have been blessed to steward? 

Serving Together, 

Pastor Derek