Dr. Watson, thanks for this “breath of fresh air”. Perhaps the reason that there seems to be such a lack of hope within the Western institutionalized church is because the true Biblical narrative isn’t being properly proclaimed. Too many believers here, especially in the American Evangelical church, have bought into the idea that our hope is to either wait out this life till we die, or get “raptured out of here” before it really gets bad. Escapism is their Hope. Fortunately, folks like N. T. Wright, has attempted to correct this misunderstanding by authoring his book, Surprised by Hope. It shows how we’re in that overlapping period of the already inaugurated Kingdom of Heaven and the end of this evil age. When believers are actively living out their calling, inspired by the knowledge of how this all plays out, Hope is is much more easily realized in my opinion.
Dr. Watson, thank you once again for a thought provoking offering for us.
Fo me, it is not surprising that hope is the most desired leadership quality in the church. Someone who can focus our hope, and at the same time attenuate our fear and doubts is exactly what is needed to reinvigorate our faith. After all, faith is the substance of what we hope for. The leadership quality of hope is, I think, more imputed by the Spirit, than learned in any book.
"The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me" (Psalm 138:8a). We need preachers who will proclaim this with real trust and devotion, not a fashionable equivocation.
Thank you, Dr. Watson, for this hope-filled and sane post. This is exactly what good leaders (and instructors) do. You did not sugar-coat the truth. You laid things out plainly yet also pointed to the greater hope of what God is doing among us. I sincerely hope :) and encourage many pastors and leaders of all churches and denominations to take heed.
In 2 Corinthians 7, Paul distinguishes between two kinds of sorrows. One leads to repentance (the good kind) and one doesn't. Sorrow, hate, shame...these things can and should be good. They are motivators out of a bad place towards the God place. We need those things. Yet we have 1) imperfect messengers who can be too heavy on the negative speak, and 2) imperfect listeners who despair as soon as things look difficult. I personally think 1 isn't really a problem right now, and 2 is a huge problem.
There might be some doomsayers who are looking for this whole place to burn. I suspect there are just a lot of people who are trying to get a handle on the problem, as the treatment of any disease will first begin with the proper diagnosis of what it is. Misdiagnosing the problem can and almost certainly will result in a bad result. How deep is the rot? Folks like me say it is pretty deep. It will require an amputation or two to successfully treat. If folks aren't willing or able to receive that, then we have to amplify the message, because silence isn't really an option.
I think a lot of Christian leadership is in a significant disagreement about how bad things really are right now. If I could, I would sit all of our leaders down and ask them what percentage of people in the pews they think are probably saved. To hear some speak, it's like 95%, and we just need to tweak a few things to help that other 5% come into alignment. But if we are looking at a crisis situation in which under 10% really closely resemble at all a base expectation of surrender to Jesus, then I think it is appropriate to try to alarm people a bit more. There are a lot of people who aren't going to move no matter what kind of language they hear. We have to be concerned about those who can still move before it is too late. How hot are the flames of hell? How much anguish and pain is in store for those who are blithely phoning it in right now? In 1 Samuel 23:11-12, David is warned by Gad that if he doesn't move, he's going to get killed. That's the proper role of all religious leadership. Death is on the horizon unless we all remember how to move pretty quick!
Dr. Watson, thanks for this “breath of fresh air”. Perhaps the reason that there seems to be such a lack of hope within the Western institutionalized church is because the true Biblical narrative isn’t being properly proclaimed. Too many believers here, especially in the American Evangelical church, have bought into the idea that our hope is to either wait out this life till we die, or get “raptured out of here” before it really gets bad. Escapism is their Hope. Fortunately, folks like N. T. Wright, has attempted to correct this misunderstanding by authoring his book, Surprised by Hope. It shows how we’re in that overlapping period of the already inaugurated Kingdom of Heaven and the end of this evil age. When believers are actively living out their calling, inspired by the knowledge of how this all plays out, Hope is is much more easily realized in my opinion.
Dr. Watson, thank you once again for a thought provoking offering for us.
Fo me, it is not surprising that hope is the most desired leadership quality in the church. Someone who can focus our hope, and at the same time attenuate our fear and doubts is exactly what is needed to reinvigorate our faith. After all, faith is the substance of what we hope for. The leadership quality of hope is, I think, more imputed by the Spirit, than learned in any book.
"The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me" (Psalm 138:8a). We need preachers who will proclaim this with real trust and devotion, not a fashionable equivocation.
Thank you, Dr. Watson, for this hope-filled and sane post. This is exactly what good leaders (and instructors) do. You did not sugar-coat the truth. You laid things out plainly yet also pointed to the greater hope of what God is doing among us. I sincerely hope :) and encourage many pastors and leaders of all churches and denominations to take heed.
Great article! It reminds me of a Steve Backlund quote: “He who has the most hope has the most influence.”
So good. My husband is this kind of leader in our home. He keeps me focused on the hope and goodness of God.
Very well said, with a Balance that accompanies Maturity. Thanks for the encouraging words.
In 2 Corinthians 7, Paul distinguishes between two kinds of sorrows. One leads to repentance (the good kind) and one doesn't. Sorrow, hate, shame...these things can and should be good. They are motivators out of a bad place towards the God place. We need those things. Yet we have 1) imperfect messengers who can be too heavy on the negative speak, and 2) imperfect listeners who despair as soon as things look difficult. I personally think 1 isn't really a problem right now, and 2 is a huge problem.
There might be some doomsayers who are looking for this whole place to burn. I suspect there are just a lot of people who are trying to get a handle on the problem, as the treatment of any disease will first begin with the proper diagnosis of what it is. Misdiagnosing the problem can and almost certainly will result in a bad result. How deep is the rot? Folks like me say it is pretty deep. It will require an amputation or two to successfully treat. If folks aren't willing or able to receive that, then we have to amplify the message, because silence isn't really an option.
I think a lot of Christian leadership is in a significant disagreement about how bad things really are right now. If I could, I would sit all of our leaders down and ask them what percentage of people in the pews they think are probably saved. To hear some speak, it's like 95%, and we just need to tweak a few things to help that other 5% come into alignment. But if we are looking at a crisis situation in which under 10% really closely resemble at all a base expectation of surrender to Jesus, then I think it is appropriate to try to alarm people a bit more. There are a lot of people who aren't going to move no matter what kind of language they hear. We have to be concerned about those who can still move before it is too late. How hot are the flames of hell? How much anguish and pain is in store for those who are blithely phoning it in right now? In 1 Samuel 23:11-12, David is warned by Gad that if he doesn't move, he's going to get killed. That's the proper role of all religious leadership. Death is on the horizon unless we all remember how to move pretty quick!
"I serve a RISEN Savior;
he's IN THE WORLD today..."
Jesus is alive through the Resurrection (as we will be);
Jesus is "God with us" through the Incarnation.
We have EVERY REASON to hope!