Lantern Road - Total Church chapter 7

Discipleship and Training
I deeply appreciated the emphasis that it is only Jesus who has disciples. He alone is worthy to be fully and unquestioningly followed. Mutually we are our brother's keeper, but certainly not in any sense of lording it over one another. The writers continue to be consistent with relegating every arena to gospel and community. Certainly it is right to view discipleship as evangelism. As Christians in ongoing relationship, we still proclaim Christ to one another. Paul says in I Corinthians 1:23-24 that proclaiming Christ is a scandal and foolishness to others, but to those who believe it is the power and the wisdom of God. We should never grow tired of hearing about the grace of God and we should never stop proclaiming that grace to one another. The message of the cross is the deepest of all mysteries and should be central to the community of believers.
I enjoyed the comments on baptism but I was surprised that there was no mention of I Corinthians 12:13, " For in one Spirit we are all baptized into one body - Jews or Greeks, slaves or free - and all were made to drink of one Spirit." Truly both water baptism and Spirit baptism immerses us into Christ and into the Body of Christ or the community of believers (church). Our new identity is found in Christ and with the help of the community we define and develop that new identity. I appreciated the thoughts on how we grow to maturity through community interaction and relationship. I do believe there is a little exaggeration concerning the idea of monologue teaching but because of the traditional overemphasis it makes sense to press the point. It is a bit of a stretch to think that people came out to hear John the Baptist or Jesus hold conversations with the crowd although it appears that at times people did interrupt with questions or challenges. It does seem likely that opportunity was always given for dialogue in the meetings, but it is also likely the meetings lasted for hours and it is unclear if the reason they lasted so long was because after the teaching, the meeting was opened for that dialogue and people came and went based on interest. It actually appears that the whole Mary and Martha conflict occurred because the meetings extended and Martha was trying to play host in a more casual atmosphere. Also, the historic development of church meetings is not a valid argument for a perversion of church. There is no way to know how Jesus or Paul etc. would have taken advantage of an opportunity to meet in a synagogue setting had it been available. It seems to be a trend to glamorize the original church methodology and want to return to the primitive method as God inspired rather than to acknowledge that the method they used was the only one available at the time. The better argument is for small dialogue opportunities aside from larger gatherings. Community group settings or implementing after service dialogue in a casual atmosphere certainly would improve the quality of learning. The value of the monologue seems to be that it presents the topic of dialogue. The monologue provides a defined arena of conversation rather than dialogue with no agenda. This is why I prefer that the community groups dialogue over the same scripture and topic of the Sunday teaching. It is defined and reinforces the teaching of the whole. This reinforcing is not just mental assent, but the Holy Spirit anoints the monologue and the dialogue to awaken through revelation understanding and also to implant through faith the Word of grace. The small group setting also allows for a certain level of creative application and accountability for action. To me the comments on page 117 in the top paragraph reinforce that concept. They heard the original teachings from Moses but instilled it in their children in the applications of daily life. The second paragraph of that same page reflect the balance of the authors on this point.
Page 118 contains a powerful statement concerning truth and relationships. The middle two paragraphs are really good. Also the section Training on the Road beginning on page 118 and going through page 120 is so true. There is a lot to be said for the things that can be learned in Seminary, but it does not train you for ministry. Learning to rightly divide the Word of truth is invaluable but that alone will only make you a dry stick if you don't know how to relate to people with a pastor's heart.
I would have preferred that the section on church discipline be longer. In my own experience I certainly would agree that too often the conflict is accelerated by personalities rather than governed by a heart for reconciliation. I would liken this to marriage breakups. Too often couples only seek help after the marriage is in crisis and the emotions have risen to a hurricane force. Often any affection that once existed is gone and can't even be acknowledged as having ever been present. Far too often the same thing happens with church discipline. Most often the point of discipline only happens when the offense can no longer be ignored but prior to that point every attempt possible has been taken to ignore it. If we view one another as family or even more necessary, as valued parts of our own body then we will not allow relationships to become so alienated that offense can be ignored or that sin can be overlooked. Mercy does not ignore sin or offense, it addresses the issues not just with love, but in an atmosphere of love. As the authors state, if we would regularly address one another in loving correction and mutual care we would likely see much less abandonment of relationships. I also love the concept of not relating to one another from the idea of constant moral negatives, but rather from the edifying perspective of pursuing godliness together.
Shepherds who are sheep is one of my favorite concepts of church life. We have got to get past the idolizing of men and love our pastors enough to insist that they relegate themselves to being one of the sheep. It is unfortunate that so many shepherds fall because they can't handle the pressures that church brings to bear on their lives. Our leaders are just mere men with many flaws. They don't have all the answers and they are not magicians that can perform miracles in every crisis. They simply teach the Word and by God's grace receive some insights into how God desires to move among us so that they can in a small measure coordinate the direction, the steps that the body should take. Paul indicates that a pastor is to be able to teach and by his character be an example. He is to watch for wolves and to lead the sheep to pasture. He is not to labor alone, in Acts 20 Paul says that the shepherds should care for one another and for the flock. Strength is in numbers, as two walk together in unity or as rope entwined together. No one man carries the weight of the church, but we labor together and from us emerges His wisdom and His strength.

Lantern Road review Total Church chapter 6

The chapter is on World Mission and perhaps it states the obvious. I am surprised at times by how uninvolved many churches are in missions. Most churches do give to missions, but not many realize the value of going on short term missions and the value of being in true committed relations with missionaries on a congregational level. The authors do a good job of exposition concerning the Isaiah scriptures and tying them into Pauline motivation. I like the thought on page 102 of "only Christians can point people to the world to come. The thought is much like their point on social involvement in pointing out that while philanthropy certainly helps to improve people's life style and is vitally important, still the eternal destiny of souls far outweighs the natural. Good works without a good message (gospel) does nothing to truly bring lasting or enduring hope. On page 103 is the statement, "The church is God's mission strategy. At the heart of God's plan to bless the nations are the people of God. The church is formed by mission for mission." Wow that is powerful to me. On page 104, "Both local and global mission is the privilege and responsibility of any and every local church." Bob Roberts Jr. pastors a church in Texas that has a vision for what is termed as "glocalization" the word means to be both local and globally minded. They have as their primary value being involved in both local and international outreach and have set the standard for that concept. They have proven that a local church can be very healthy when their emphasis is reaching outward. I also like the concept that the local church is capable of raising up and supporting missionaries both locally and internationally. I have seen it work in very small congregations as well as large congregations. I long for the day when our own local congregation raises up its own missionaries to send out. When that happens we will know that we are truly a healthy congregation. In the book they use the Moravians as an example of a local church sending out missionaries to many nations. This is for sure an extreme example that has never been repeated, and yet it challenges us to at least believe for a minor role in sending. In another sense the Moravian example is very similar to the church at Antioch and what they were able to accomplish through Paul and Barnabas and later through Paul and Silas and also Barnabas and Mark. My own heart is at times pulled as much for international missions and for local missions. I love praying for nations and praying for men and women and families that I personally know who are living in foreign lands for the sake of the gospel. It makes me a more effective Christian when I allow my heart to be with them in prayer and allow my heart to care for the nations I have never seen. It is all for His glory and He is worthy of praise from every tribe, every nation and every language.

Lantern Road review chapter 5 Total Church

I especially like the concept of intentional church planting as a value. Church planting is the best means of evangelism and also of maintaining a thriving congregation. It is the natural result of healthy mission and community. The great commission in action is the church living out its purpose and without a mission mindset the church will stagnate. Without a deliberate strategy to plant new congregations the church will turn inward. I like the phrase on page 85 that "Church planting puts mission at the heart of the church and the church at the heart of mission." It is obvious as you read through Acts that Paul considered church planting his primary calling and that through him the church both in Jerusalem and Antioch found cause to rejoice. It is also obvious that both the church at Jerusalem and at Antioch considered church planting as a key means of expanding the kingdom of God in the earth. I also saw from the story of the man attending his first church business meeting on page 85, an insight into the means to making such events glorious. I love the heart of the man as he was preparing to attend the meeting and he's thinking that he is about to be allowed into the strategy meeting to plot the downfall of Satan. Wouldn't that make church planning meetings more exciting! The first paragraph on page 86 is powerful. How about the quote from Emil Brunner, "The church exists by mission as a fire exists by burning." I also appreciated the pointedness of comparing the church that is maintenance mode versus mission mode. There are too many great quotes to list them here but I think I underlined more in this chapter than in any other so far. The middle of page 87 has a sentence that I think sums up the value of community as the means for mission, "And God's purposes are not only to redeem people for himself, but also to reconcile them with one another." Page 88 also has a strong emphasis on what community really means, "a commitment to a local church", "a commitment to real people in a real local church with all their faults..." Also, "Commitment to the people of God is expressed through commitment to specific congregations." It is too easy to be faithful to a mystical unspecified body of Christ if we don't act faithfully to a specific identified body of Christ. Page 90 "the church provides the best context in which to ensure that all dimensions of Christian ministry and mission are integrated." I really enjoyed the section entitled "The Apostolic Approach to Mission" and also the following section "The Apostolic Approach to Community". I especially liked the explanation of house churches and why they were Paul's primary method. The bottom paragraph on page 93 concerning why small groups can minister most effectively and avoid the maintenance trap, was a very good paragraph. The argument for church renewal through church planting on pages 94-96 are worth the book by themselves. Lastly, in his conclusion on pages 96-98 his summation of the third camp is excellent. As I read through this book I am finding my own heart challenged and also awakened. I have a growing hunger to create a thriving community of true believers with a revelation of purpose and a drive to fulfill glory for Him and His kingdom.

Lantern Road review chapter 4 Total Church

Social Involvement - there was a time when the Church was the social compass, thermostat and conscience for all society, but that ministry has been abandoned to secular agencies with most often underlying motives. With that in mind I believe the church should step up whenever it can find an opportunity. I also believe that the church should be creative in finding ways to provide for the poor and marginalized. I would take issue with the writers inference that marginalized does not as often include those who are financially secure. I believe marginalized should encompass all those who are poor in spirit. Those who recognize that they are spiritually and morally impoverished. I do appreciate the application of the title "enemy" in reference to those who do not know the king of the universe. I also appreciate that Jesus died for us when we were still enemies of the cross. The writers get the parable of the prodigal right. Jesus does show the glory of God's grace as father of the prodigal, but the parable was addressed to the insensitivity of the pharisees. The ultimate point of the parable is will you join the party of God's mercy and for the most part the church has refused to attend. Jesus mission was the poor and marginalized. The writer states that Jesus went out of his way to touch them, but actually they were right in the center of the path of the Father's will for him and also for us. Unfortunately we really do have the idea that ministry is "going out of the way" instead of right on the way. When Jesus said "go" in Matthew 28 it was in the context of his own parable of the wedding feast when he told his servants to "go into the highways and byways and compel them to come in". Our real poverty in the church is that we have lost our way and that we have no idea what "compel" means. For some it means preach fire and brimstone, but really it is the idea of a compelling love that invites people into community. On page 73 it says "Indeed part of our evangelism to the rich is our evangelism to the needy" and that is exactly right. Paul said to instruct the rich to help the needy. It goes on to say, "We subvert their preoccupation with power and success as they see us loving the unlovely. We expose their self-righteousness and selfishness as they see us eating with outcasts. They begin to see Jesus living through us." I would also add that this is how we expose those who are rich in our own body of believers to the opportunity to share with the needy, as we invite them to join us in our reaching out to those who have not.
I was also challenged by the story used as illustration on pages 74 and 75, especially the statistic on page 75 that 80% of Christians live in the top 20 wealthiest areas in the country. I realize this was a specific statistic to, I believe, England, but it is likely reflective of our own nation. I also liked the idea of reversing socioeconomic concepts. For sure the concept of the kingdom is reversed from the ideology of western values. I asterisked most of the section entitled "A Word for the Poor and Marginalized" on pages 76-79. On page 78 I deeply appreciated the thought regarding keeping the eternal plight of people in mind as the only way to keep from allowing the natural need from always forcing its way to the top. They state, "The most loving thing thing we can do for the poor is to proclaim the good news of eternal salvation through Christ." That is our chief help for any person rich or poor and without that hope all else is meaningless. Then they state their 3 assertions about the relationship between evangelism and social action, I thought this was very good.
I also marked up most of the section titled "A Community for the Poor and Marginalized". On page 81 they make a very true and pointed statement about what moved Jesus concerning the Pharisaical response to the woman who wiped Jesus feet with her hair, "What provokes him into action is not the sin he sees in the heart of the woman, but the sin he sees in the heart of Simon the host." The final page of the chapter, page 84, is rich with insight. "God gives the gift of faith disproportionately to the marginalized." is a powerful statement. Also the final two paragraphs deserve much meditation. I have recently read reports of discouragement in third world nations where the prosperity gospel deceived many and has led to much questioning in the lives of people who were taught that their lives would change in the realm of finance if they accepted Jesus. His heart must be stirred to the discouragement of false promises decreed and proclaimed in His name. Eternity waits and there is no poverty in forever with Jesus.

Chapter 3 - Total Church

Evangelism, why is that such an intimidating word for Christians? On page 54 they state their convictions about evangelism, "Our conviction is that Christians are called to a duel fidelity - fidelity to the core content of the gospel accompanied by fidelity to the primary context of a believing community". For years I have witnessed the success of lifestyle evangelism when there is a willingness to present the gospel as the opportunity presents itself. Most "lifestyle evangelism" never gets to the point of presentation but when there is a willingness there is often success at some level. I also like the idea of moving people along in their search rather than thinking an all or nothing approach is the only measure of success. We look for fertile fields and realize our responsibility to sow and wait and reap. The thing I like most about this chapter is the introduction of another method of lifestyle evangelism, community lifestyle evangelism. There is no doubt that the number one barrier to evangelism is the perception of the church as outdated. Certainly then our first obstacle to overcome is that perception and introduction to community is vital. I also realized as I read this chapter that community groups creates a gospel path. They will know that you are my disciples by your love is the path Jesus laid out for the church to present the gospel to the world. When Jesus said "go and teach" he certainly intended the use of words, but also the demonstration of the power and that power is not only the miraculous, but is especially the unbelievable. People loving in community is unbelievable! On page 57, I placed asterisks and exclamation points next to the comments about Paul from I Thessalonians 2:8. On page 59 the writers comment that in their experience "people are often attracted to the Christian community before they are attracted to the gospel." The writer goes on to say that the issue then becomes, how to introduce people to the Christian community more than how to introduce them to the gospel. The emphasis of course must be that Christian community is not the Sunday morning service, but actually community in action. They also say that too often we are trying to answer questions people are not asking yet.
The 3 strands of evangelism are helpful in keeping us mindful of our task, building relationships, sharing the gospel and introducing people to community. I like it that they don't make it legalistic, but rather present it as something to keep in mind and not to force in any particular order. I also like the gifting comparisons on page 62 so that no one has to step out of their gifting to feel useful.
Gospel intentionality is an imperative in the concept of kingdom growth. Adding people is not the goal, but adding solidly converted, heart and life changed people is. Also on page 64 I found myself challenged by the statement that "we often assume we need to organize something." Then he follows with the sentence, "But there are plenty of opportunities we can join, attend, visit, or participate." He also states, "All of this requires people who are proactively committed to speaking the gospel to unbelievers." That is the key ingredient that I would love to awaken in the hearts of our own community. On page 65 he says, "The communities to which we introduce people must be communities in which "Godtalk" is normal. This means talking about what we are reading in the Bible, praying together whenever we share needs, delighting together in the gospel, and sharing our spiritual struggles, not only with Christians, but with unbelievers." All this is powerful stuff when it becomes the normal environment of Christian community. I also like how they state that even with all this they work hard at not making their times together appear strange by explaining things and making the unbeliever feel as comfortable as possible.
I am challenged to ask, 'What can we do to make this happen?' 'How can we transform ourselves into kingdom ambassadors?' 'Where are the opportunities to invade the gates of Hell?' 'Are our community meetings representing the gospel well?'

Total Church chapter 2

Why Community? The opening sentence contains the phrase, "Christ wants to create a people, not merely isolated individuals who believe in him", is a powerful concept. The reason Christ wants a people is because no one of us can fully display His glory or His worth to society. Since that is true, then one of the most vital character traits to develop for His glory, is unselfishness. Recognizing that reality and embracing that determination as an act of worship is imperative to the Christian community. It has been said that God so loved the world that He gave His son to the cross, but Jesus so loved the church (his bride) that he stayed on the cross (Eph. 5:25). Also, the quote of John Stott on page 39 is so very true, "The church lies at the very center of the eternal purpose of God." I also highlighted all of page 40 and most of page 41. "An identity that I construct for myself is far removed from an identity I receive by grace." "You can no more have a relationless person than you can have a childless mother or a parentless son." "If the church is the body of Christ, then we should not live as disembodied Christians." If my identity is wrapped up in my community then the pressing question for all of us is, where or with whom do I belong? Where or with whom is my identity best defined? The authors describe "Koinonia" on page 43 and say that the term is linked to "common", "sharing", and "participation". I believe the word also is used to describe "partnership" especially business partnership. The idea of connectedness with a risk or potential profit is inferred. We have a stake in each others lives which is why Paul can urge us in Phil. 2 that we should care as much about what happens to our fellow believers as we do for our own selves. Paul actually implies we should carry as much vision for the success of our fellow believers as we do for ourselves. I also like the thought from page 44 that Paul looked at his ministry to the Thessalonians as an investment in his own future. It reminds me of the teaching by Randy Alcorn about storing up an eternal retirement investment in heaven by sending it ahead. When we minister into others we are making eternal deposits in heaven, which is a clear teaching of Jesus in Matthew. I like the idea of accountability on pages 45 and 46 although I admit that while they deny heavy handed shepherding, it did make me a little uncomfortable. The whole thought on Christian Community is Central to Christian Mission beginning on page 47 is excellent. On page 50 is the pivotal point, "Sell the vision by modeling the vision." It is always vital to repeat over and over the intentions of our community vision, but nothing speaks louder than actions.

Total Church chapter 1

The writers do a good job of tying together the scriptures from John 14 and also John 5. The focus of Jesus promise of doing greater works has been very confusing for many Christians. I deeply appreciated the authors focus on exalting the miracle of salvation above the temporal issue of healing or even raising the dead. As I have stated many times every person Jesus ever healed is dead today and even those he raised from the dead eventually died from something. The eternal is so much weightier than any supernatural event. The eternal is all and forever supernatural (other than natural) while the temporal only has occasional glimpses of the supernatural. Oh that our hearts hungered and exalted as much over one soul who finds Jesus as we would be to witness a physical miracle. Page 24 paragraph 1 "The greater work is to bring people to eternal life through our proclamation of the gospel." We have an opportunity to do something that Jesus never did! He could proclaim the coming redemption, but we can proclaim the redemption that has come. On the bottom of page 27 they make a statement concerning faith that I found myself reflecting through, I am not sure yet whether I completely agree with the idea of a different kind of faith that comes from witnessing miracles or whether it is simply a shallow faith versus a deeper more enduring faith that is founded in His words. I really wrestle with the charismatic obsession with seeing miracles. Is it because our faith is even shallower than a miracle witnessing faith and if it is true that an even deeper faith comes from believing His words alone, then where are we? The Pharisees demanded miracles in order to believe, are we no better? As the authors continue their thought to page 28 the challenge really hits home. After all, isn't relationship with Jesus what we really aspire to? If faith only founded on miraculous persuasions leaves us without a foundation of trust with Christ then where are we? Faith in the sign is not the same as faith in the person of Christ.
On page 24, under the heading "God Rules Through His Word", the authors state, "Christianity is word-centered because God rules through His gospel word." The authors then go on to give a brief history of the rejection of God's ruling word. On the bottom of page 26, the last sentence of the last paragraph, I appreciate the summary of God's judgment of Israel, "God's word sets in motion events that cannot be altered." Yet even after Israel's rejection of God and the resulting judgment, God has not given up on His plan for mercy to triumph over death. I am moved by the authors understanding and value of the message of the gospel. By beginning with this emphasis my mind is set as ease so that their declarations later in the book for radical change in doing church, do not send me into a defensive mode.
The next major point in the chapter is on page 28, "God Extends His Rule Through His Word". The opening sentence in this section is, "Christianity is mission-centered because God extends His rule through his gospel word." The message we have been given automatically implies mission responsibility, besides the command of Matthew 28:19. The authors' comparison of word-centered versus spirit-centered is handled well. I am not sure I completely agree with the issue of revelation as they dealt with it, but I think I understand their intention to exalt our focus on revelation through His word versus equating subjective revelation to the level of His revealed words.
I would love to see us actually take the exercise that they describe on page 33 and do it in our community groups. The bullet points raise good issues in our hearts and certainly I would love for us to see ourselves truly as missionaries on our jobs and in our neighborhoods. This also includes the bullet points on page 35. I also marked all of the first paragraph on page 35 and the first sentence on page 36 which starts with the quote at the bottom of page 35 is very challenging and I think pivotal, "Jesus has a train and release strategy, while overall we have a convert and retain strategy." Paul entrusted brand new churches with brand new converts into the Lord's care when he went out planting. In Acts on his first journey they go and come back and then decide to return in what was probably more than a year later to see how the churches are doing. It might be that the conversions were deeper and more life changing, but that would be a sad commentary on today's church. It seems likely that there was a trust in the Lord to finish what He and not man had begun that perhaps we lack faith in today. I like the idea of train and release over convert and retain. Both quotes on page 36 are challenging. And lastly, on page 37 the last paragraph also challenges my heart deeply and a real amen rises in my spirit.
I really want to hear from you all concerning this chapter. It lays the foundation for most of the rest of the book. Let me know what you think.