People Spots Online
Produced by James W. Moss, Sr., and Church Consultants
Provided as a service by New Life Ministries

Defending or Attacking

by Ray Baum, Guest Writer

ARE YOU DEFENDING THE FAITH OR STORMING THE GATES OF HELL?

It has been said that in football, the best defense is a good offense.

The 1960's was a time of great social upheaval and change within and outside the church. The Jesus Movement swept the land, changing the way a new generation heard the gospel message and many souls were introduced to Christ in terms of a relationship and theology was no longer part and parcel of the salvation experience. Feelings were the all important measure of spirituality.

Many churches instituted new forms of worship, with emphasis on feeling the presence of the Holy Spirit. Old ways began to fall into disuse and disfavor. Revival was a word that was heard less and less often - for that brought to mind a picture of simpler times and religious practices that are incompatible with an urban and sophisticated world and self-view. The spirit of political correctness and acceptance became the dominant influence in the culture and at the same time those politically-correct-accepting types began marginalizing those who claimed to be CHRISTIANS.

Understandably traditional churches felt threatened and sometime after the 1950's much of the Body of Christ responded by slipping quietly into a defensive posture. Apologetics and lifestyle evangelism became the preferred watchwords of the educated faithful, and the Bride of Christ retreated inside the walls of what became known as the "Fortress Church." Ministry specialization bloomed and evangelism/outreach slowed significantly. The average age of pew occupants crept upward, many churches paid off their mortgages, and life was good, as many pastors became chaplains - focused on the needs of those within the walls. Much of the team had moved from offense to defense and there were a growing number of empty seats.

I would dare say that the difference between offense and defense is in the mindset of the minister. The "new and improved" methods do not necessarily suit those who are defenders of the faith, used to ministering to the needs of their flocks - shepherding them as they approach the pearly gates. They are chaplains in God's army, valued members of the corps of ministry and meeting a valid need. There is another aspect to this situation in that the congregation is typically focused on the trip home and rewards/jewels already earned - not on battles yet to be fought and souls to be won. This is not to say these pastors do not see a need nor do they lack desire to wins souls to the kingdom and fill the thinning ranks within their fortress, but it is a reality that the focus of many is ministry within the walls of their church. The value of the ministry they perform is very valuable - it is the ministry for which they have answered the call and been faithful.

But, and it was a big but - God was always at work in the hearts and lives of a new generation of pastors and evangelists - men and women of faith who understood that the world at-large still had needs and Jesus was the still the only answer. The target population was now those who were "un-churched" and seekers - new labels, same old lost souls. New labels, but was there truly a new target group, or was it repackaging to reach a new media savvy generation? In reality it was God working as He always has - through the hearts of men and women called to ministry and into His army - ready to storm the very gates of hell to save souls using the best tools God has provided in this generation.

There have been important developments and changes in methods of outreach and targeting - using all the new communications methods and media that God has graciously provided to His army. As in all "new" evangelism efforts there have been those pioneers quick to embrace every modern means at hand to reach the lost and bring them the message of good news, and for some the results have been breathtaking and spectacular. For others the results of "re-packaging" the good news in a shiny new wrapper have been less than stellar. Why does it seem God blesses one ministry and not another, although both use the same ministry model?

I have observed that in America we have a long history of looking for ways and means of copying the success of someone or something else - what I would call "cookbook solutions" that guarantee a perfect outcome. This phenomenon is visible in industry, entertainment and, yes indeed, in the church. The problem is that copying the method or the process does not guarantee success - for the circumstances are seldom exactly the same. The community/people (both inside the church and in the target community) and the talents and gifts of the ministry team are not identical, so expecting an identical outcome is unrealistic.

So, how does a pastor go about becoming an effective soldier in storming the gates of hell.

Let's start at the very basis of a warrior's gifts and strengths - HEART and RESOLVE. If you do not have a warrior's heart, do not start a battle you lack the commitment to carry to the very gates of the enemy's strongholds. Or as my beloved grandmother used to say, "If you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen!" Once you enter the fray, there are only two ways to leave - VICTORIOUS or defeated.

Then it's time to enlist in God's army, starting with the undergirding of prayer - continuous and unceasing prayer. Pray for continued heart, enduring resolve, the strength to persevere in the face of opposition - the strength that only God can give. Pray too that God will send you where HE would have you go, to reach the people HE would have you minister to. Add to that a prayer for wisdom, focus, and endurance.

Back to the issue of HEART: it is imperative that you LOVE the people God sends you to. Every soul is precious to God and every soul you would reach must be equally precious to you. This kind of war is never about you, no earthly glory or recognition can you expect - your reward will happen in Heaven at the Bema seat.

No warrior wins a battle on their own: the next thing you need is a cadre/team of like-minded men and women to follow you into the fray. This means you must be an effective Godly leader. What is a leader? It is someone who can convince people to go where they may not be comfortable going and into doing things they may never have done before, and in this war that means right up to the gates of Hell.

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October 2, 2007. Volume 10, Issue 5. People Spots Online is prepared by James W. Moss, Sr., and Church Consultants. It is provided as a service by New Life Ministries, www.NewLifeMinistries-NLM.org. Articles may be duplicated and reproduced in any way with proper credit. A new article is produced about every two weeks. To be added to a list to receive these messages directly by e-mail, send a request to churchconsultants@yahoo.com.

Defending or Attacking

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