LIVING ON THE EDGE

I had a guy ask me that one day while I was explaining to him how excited I was about getting another full time staff guy to help oversee our Worship, missions and outreach ministries. I told him that I was only capable of effectively ministering to 150 to 200 people myself and this new staff guy was going to help me and the other staff reach hundreds more for Christ. With that he said, “Aren’t you being a little greedy? I know pastors who would love to have a church your size.”

I thought for a sec then said, “Well, I quess you think Paul was a little greedy then. Paul’s heart and vision was “everyone perfect in Christ.”

I used to say that if our church could reach at least one person for Christ then all this would have been worth it. That sounds real pious and religious but in reality that would please our enemy nothing more.

I told him that God’s heart is that none perish and that all come to repentance. That’s why HE sent His son Jesus, to save those who are lost. And since God’s heart is to take as many people to heaven as possibly, then my heart should be the same as HIS. His mission should be my mission. And I told him God’s mission should be his mission as well.

This conversation really helped motivate me to reach as many people for Christ as possible and at the same time train other people to develop a heart like God so they can reach as many for Christ as possible.

Imagine. If we were ALL a little greedy to see lives changed like God is, then our church buildings would be filled to standing room only.

WOW. I can only hope we all get a little more greedy.

I love hanging out at Starbucks. I meet the coolest and sometime even weirdest people. Me included.

I was there last Saturday afternoon finishing up my message for Sunday seated next to an acquaintance of mine who happens to be an atheist and a card -carrying member of the ACLU. Now if you know me at all, you know those letters ACLU will get me going and keep going like the energizer bunny. Coupled with the fact he is an atheist has led me to make a friend out him over the last several months. We have had ops to talk about several issues, all of which are not political or religious. I for one have not wanted to talk about those until God opened the door for me to do so.

Well guess what. He opened the door. And like a good God- fearing man I am, I avoided the issue. He asked me, as I sat there reading my message through one more time, if I had it all finished and ready for Sunday. And I said yes. Period. Then he asked me if I was the pastor of the church that meets in the UA Theater? And again I said yes. Period. See. I didn’t want to be bothered right then because I wanted to go home and relax with my wife and watch a little boob tube before Sunday. I didn’t have the time it was going to take for me to tell this atheist and ACLU member how to get to heaven. They are hardheaded and stubborn. Why now God? Why not Monday or Tuesday when I’m on the clock?

Well if you know me at all, I did have those thoughts for a brief moment then God gently nudged me and I began to tell my friend about our church and what we were all about and how God had given us a great venue to meet in to reach people for Christ. Then out of nowhere, he asked me about the RELIGIOUS RIGHTS boycott of Starbucks. I said what boycott? (Dead give away I was part of the religious right) As he told me about it I watched to see if he was checking me out to see if I was getting upset with his characterization of the RR. So I kept my cool and let him finish what he had to say about the RR and then I said, man, they make my job so hard. They probably would have boycotted Jesus. I don’t think he knew what to do with that. He just said Oh.

My approach to ministry may be different than some. I choose to meet people where they are and then love them to Christ. I try and build a relationship with them, not tear them down because they joined the ACLU or put a mermaid on a cup. Instead, I try through relationship to introduce them to Christ and let Him change their actions and attitudes. I don’t want to sound pious or over the top better than anyone else. I just think we miss so many ops because we are so RELIGIOUS RIGHT. My ACLU friend will see from me how much Jesus loves him and how much I care not because I choose to boycott a cup or Disney or McDonalds. And by the way. I don’t condone any of their actions or anti-Christian bias. I just want people to see Jesus not an organization.

I don’t think Jesus would fit in with the ACLU or THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT

As Rick Warren once said, People would much rather see a sermon than hear one.

I was talking with a friend of mine today at Starbucks, (my church office) and he was telling me about a conference he attended yesterday concerning THE CHURCH AND THE IRS. He told me he learned that there were 277 IRS tax codes and laws that have been in acted regarding the church in America. He was asking me if we were in compliance with all 277 and I said I had no idea we had 277 codes, so I guess we’re not. He said, you’re right. Most churches are not in compliance and not even aware of the tax codes.

He told me story after story how churches across America are under investigation by the IRS and even sending clergy and church leaders to prison because of the fact they were un-aware of the tax laws for churches. Horror stories of pastors sent to jail for 18 months because of the violations. (My friend has the spiritual gift of discouragement).

As I was listening to all this gloom and doom and the more he shared his thoughts, the angrier I got and then the more upset I became at the IRS for doing this to churches. “How dare they try and shut down churches just for the sake of collecting tax revenue because they can’t raise taxes on the American people.” So they go after churches. Now I know some organizations out there are taking advantage of the system and in reality stealing money from the people and the IRS. However, to lop all churches into the same category with those who are ripping off the people is ridiculous. Most churches are honest and trying to do what is right.

So, the more we talked about this issue, I finally had to ask my pastor friend, who is an Exec-Pastor, a question. I asked him, would you be in ministry, doing what you’re doing if your church was not a non-profit organization? Would you still be reaching people for Christ and telling others about the gospel? Would you still feed the hungry, help those in need or would you chuck it all just because the IRS took your non-profit status away?
We both answered the question. Sure. We would still be doing ministry paid or not, non-profit or not. Because it is not about the money, it is not about the fame (God knows there are better ways to get famous) and it is not about the taxes. It is and always will be about life change and seeing people come to Christ.
Now I realize we may have the op to put that statement to the test in the near future, if the IRS has their way. But right now I will choose to stand on the truth that God said He would supply ALL of our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus, not the IRS. Not the government. The bible also says that greater is HE that is in me than he that is in the world. If God be for me who can be against me?

I just don’t think the guy who thunk all this up and spoke into being is not too concerned with the IRS and any other organization for that matter. God is more concerned with attitude and actions of the hearts of men and women, even those of the IRS.

Not don’t get me wrong. I like the non-profit status and all it affords us as a church, but at the same time, while we as a church will do everything we can to comply with ALL 277 tax codes, we will continue our mission to reach the DFW area and the world for Christ, non-profit or not.