The Lausanne Global Conversation is on the World Wide Open Network
Author: Chris Wright
Date: 01.07.2010
Category: Integrity and Anti-Corruption
Editor’s Note: This Cape Town 2010 Advance Paper has been written by Chris Wright as an overview of the topic to be discussed at the Morning Plenary session on “Calling the Church of Christ Back to Humility, Integrity and Simplicty.” Responses to this paper through the Lausanne Global Conversation will be fed back to the author and others to help shape their final presentations at the Congress.
The Lausanne Covenant is wonderfully balanced in the way it binds together two dimensions of Christian confession. On the one hand there is the confession of faith – that is, affirming the great truths of our biblical faith. On the other hand there is the confession of failure – that is, accepting that in so many ways we Christians do not live up to the calling of God. We do not behave as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. So there is both proclamation and penitence: rejoicing over what we believe and repentance over how we have failed to live it out.
This is a balance that reflects some great occasions of covenant renewal in the Bible. For example: Deuteronomy 29-31, Joshua 23-24, 2 Kings 22-23, Nehemiah 8-10. These all included recognition of failure and sin. They all called people back to repentance and re-commitment.
It is tragic that many of the things that the Lausanne Covenant called us to turn away from, back in 1974, are still the very things that afflict and infect the church 36 years on. However, this should not depress us or paralyse us. Rather, it challenges us to come back yet again to our gracious God in renewed repentance and recommitment in our own generation.
Points of Penitence in the Lausanne Covenant
It is worth reading through the Lausanne Covenant and taking note of those places where it expresses failure, or a sense of shame and sorrow, or where it calls for repentance and change. The Covenant still speaks powerfully today. Here are several passages worth thinking about, in a spirit of prayer and humility. The numbers on the left refer to the paragraphs of the Lausanne covenant.
Paragraphs:
1 The Purpose of God
We confess with shame that we have often denied our calling and failed in our mission, by becoming conformed to the world or by withdrawing from it.
4 The Nature of Evangelism
In issuing the gospel invitation we have no liberty to conceal the cost of discipleship. Jesus still calls all who would follow him to deny themselves, take up their cross, and identify themselves with his new community. The results of evangelism include obedience to Christ, incorporation into his Church and responsible service in the world.
Costly obedience, self-denial, identification with the cross, commitment to the church, and practical service – these are all things that need to be included when we engage in evangelism. If we avoid these things, our message and method lack integrity and become manipulation.
6 The Church and Evangelism
The Church is at the very centre of God’s cosmic purpose and is his appointed means of spreading the gospel. But a church which preaches the cross must itself be marked by the cross. It becomes a stumbling block to evangelism when it betrays the gospel or lacks a living faith in God, a genuine love for people, or scrupulous honesty in all things including promotion and finance.
This powerful statement highlights the fact that the church is not just the delivery mechanism for a verbal message. Rather, God intends the church to be a model of the gospel it preaches – especially modeling the way of the cross. Three things are “stumbling-blocks” – that is, they make our evangelism fail: lack of faith, lack of love, and lack of honesty. There must be integrity between our words and our living. And we must repent when there isn’t.
6 The church is the community of God’s people rather than an institution, and must not be identified with any particular culture, social or political system, or human ideology.
The danger described here is a constant temptation. We can be filled with unbiblical pride in our own culture. Or we have a sense of national or racial superiority. Or we put absolute faith in our economic system. As a result, the church becomes captive to the idols and ideology that surround us.
9 The Urgency of the Evangelistic Task
We cannot hope to attain this goal without sacrifice [“the goal” of enabling everyone to hear the gospel]. All of us are shocked by the poverty of millions and disturbed by the injustices which cause it. Those of us who live in affluent circumstances accept our duty to develop a simple life-style in order to contribute more generously to both relief and evangelism.
The call to simplicity of life is part of Christlike discipleship. But we are so tempted by the seductive power of greed and self-gratification. The call to sacrifice and simplicity needs to be heard again, for it is so much contradicted by the desire for prosperity and success.
This was a challenge that led to a whole consultation and statement, “The International Consultation on Simple Lifestyle”, at Hoddesdon, 1980. The statement can be read in Lausanne Occasional Paper 20, or at http://www.lausanne.org/hoddesdon-1980/hoddesdon-1980.html
11 Education and leadership
We confess that we have sometimes pursued church growth at the expense of church depth, and divorced evangelism from Christian nurture.
This plague of “growth without depth” has become even worse after 1974. As the end of the millennium approached many mission strategie
s and organizations arose that were obsessed with speed and “getting the job finished”. “Christian superficiality has become a worldwide phenomenon. Many converts never grow up in Christ” (Lausanne Occasional Paper 3 p. 40). In some organizations, theological education and training were even dropped from the mission agenda and investment, which seems tragically short-sighted.
But if we fail to obey the Great Commission Line Three (“teaching them all that I have commanded you”), we are actually failing to obey it at all in “making disciples”. And the result is seen in widespread nominalism in so-called “reached” nations.
11 We long that every church will have national leaders who manifest a Christian style of leadership in terms not of domination but of service.
This is reinforced by the exposition:
“National leaders are no more immune than missionaries to the sins of pride, power-hunger, and pomposity. So our longing is for national leaders who manifest a Christian style of leadership, drawing their inspiration not from secular government but from Christ’s teaching and example, a leadership in terms not of domination but of service.” (Lausanne Occasional Paper 3, p.39)
The temptation to seek power and status is very strong, and sadly very many evangelical leaders give in to it, and do not follow either Christ’s teaching or his example. “Domination” can take many forms within the church itself by leaders and pastors, including abuse of trust, exploitation for personal gain, suppression of women, manipulation of money or power.
12 Spiritual Conflict
We detect the activity of our enemy, not only in false ideologies outside the Church, but also inside it in false gospels which twist Scripture and put people in the place of God ... At other times, desirous to ensure a response to the gospel, we have compromised our message, manipulated our hearers through pressure techniques, and become unduly preoccupied with statistics or even dishonest in our use of them.
Deception and manipulation are the hallmarks of Satan’s character and work, and this paragraph warns us to be alert to their presence within the church – even in what looks like enthusiastic and successful mission. Once again John Stott’s exposition is powerfully clear.
“The numerical growth of the church has become almost an obsession with us. And therefore, desirous (even determined) to ensure a response to the Gospel, we have resorted to doubtful methods, which Paul would almost certainly have included in the "disgraceful underhanded ways" which he said he had renounced (II Cor. 4:2). Either we have compromised our message ("tampered with God’s Word";II Cor. 4:2), eliminating such unfashionable elements as self-denial and judgment in order to make it more palatable to modern man; or we have manipulated our hearers through pressure techniques, which is to treat human beings as less than human; or we have become unduly preoccupied with statistics (as if the work of the Holy Spirit of God could ever be reduced to mere statistics!), or even dishonest in our use of them (publishing reports which are not strictly true). It is an ugly list of misdemeanors.” (Lausanne Occasional Paper 3, p.45)
The core issue here is the danger of manipulation and dishonesty. We need to return to rigorous integrity in all our efforts to promote the gospel. Satan is at work whenever Christians surrender their integrity and go along with what is untruthful and dishonest (even if they believe it is for good motives).
Three Key Challenges
Most of the challenges addressed to the church in the Lausanne Covenant could be gathered under three main topics. These are topics that are also major issues in the Bible. Everywhere in the Bible, God constantly calls his people to turn away from idols of power, success and greed, and to live according to his demand for humility, integrity and simplicity.
The idolatry of power, and the call to humility
The temptation to seek power and status is very strong. It reflects our fallen nature, since the essence of the fall was to usurp God’s authority by exalting our own status over against God. That is also one of the fingerprints of Satan. So it is tragic that so many Christian leaders fall into this sin and exalt themselves. We urgently need to recognize and denounce this for the sin that it is.
By contrast, humility is one of the essential marks of Jesus Christ, and ought therefore to characterize his followers – especially those called to leadership.
The idolatry of success, and the call to integrity
The temptation to impress others with our accomplishments, skills, or miraculous powers is also very strong. We crave for success and recognition. But this easily leads to distortion of the truth and manipulation of people. It leads to dishonesty in reports, in finances, in personal life and relationships. We need to hear again the Bible’s constant call to integrity, in private and public, in every corner of our lives and ministries. There is no biblical mission without biblical ethics.
The idolatry of greed, and the call to simplicity
“Covetousness which is idolatry”, said Paul (Col. 3:5). To break the tenth commandment is to break the first. The Bible recognizes legitimate wealth as a good gift of God’s generosity. But the Bible speaks far more often about the idol that wealth can easily become. Throughout the Bible there are warnings against greed and the dangers of seeking wealth, some of them from the mouth of Jesus himself. Jesus and Paul both modelled simple dependence on God and contentment with ‘enough’.
Biblical Resources
In preparation for the late morning plenary session on Day 5, you could study some Bible passages on each of the above major themes. Here are some to start with. Perhaps you could add more.
Humility vs Power:
Isaiah 2:12-17,Micah 6:8, Prov.11:2, Luke 22:24-27, Matt. 5:1-12, Eph. 4:1-2, 2 Tim. 3:1-5
Integrity vs Success:
Ezek. 13:1-7, 1 Chron. 29:17, Pss. 15, 24, Prov. 11:1, 3, Matt. 5:33-37, 2 Cor. 2:17, 4:1-2, Rev. 22:15
Simplicity vs Greed:
Mic. 3:5,11, Jer. 22:13-17, 1 Kings 21, Matt. 7:21-23, Luke 12:13-21, Eph. 5:5, 1 Tim. 6:5-10
Jesus faced all of the three temptations we have identified.
Sadly, it seems that so many Christian leaders (including mission leaders) blatantly fail these tests at precisely the points that Jesus overcame them. They cannot resist the temptations of abusive power, manipulated success and selfish greed. The church as a whole pays the cost of their failure, in the loss of integrity and credibility.
Contemporary Concerns
Here are some of the things we need to think about as matters for repentance – for “coming back to God in humility, integrity and simplicity”.
Abuse of power and status
Lack of integrity
Greed
© The Lausanne Movement 2010
Keywords: Humility, integrity, simplicity, Lausanne Covenant, penitence, repentance, recommitment, pride, success, greed, prosperity, discipleship, idolatry, temptation, confession
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Views: 110831
Comments: 117
Recommendations: 10
Conversation Post Comment
United States
What if the church really went back to focusing on humility, integrity and simplicity. Imagine how the church would be seen, and the impact the church could make if we really showed humility. What if we were seen as always having integrity? And simplicity...What if the church worked to simplify all the complex stuff we try to do?
If we got back to these three, much like the early church, we could have a profound impact on the world around us. Thanks for this paper, which follows up on the call given in 1974. This needs to be revisited in all our churches.
12.12.2011
United States
@ brucec:
I agree with you Brucec and believe that the church will get back to being what God designed to be and not looking so much like the world.
29.04.2012
United States
@ brucec:
I am very much in agreement if the Body of Christ would serve as the Body of Christ we would have such a huge impact, influence, and impression on the world. Humility, Integrity, and Simplicity are the three ingrediants that we need to get back to.
Donnie Thurman
05.07.2012
United States
@ DonnieLewisThurman: Yes! It makes me think about Jesus saying that He did not come to be served but to serve. You are right about us following His example; He said that He did not even have a home. We know He did not have a donkey or a camel. So what does that say about Christians making choices and purchases that are only self-serving and extravagant?
08.07.2012
United States
@ earnold:
Obviously we cannot be like Jesus fully, but we can try. I love your views on this. Thank you for bringing up Jesus not wanting to be served but rather to serve others. Sometimes we may feel like we should be served, especially on days like our birthday and other special days to us. I think that I m going to try and be a servant to others...especially on my birthday! haha.
10.12.2012
United States
In the article by Chris Wright, Calling the Church Back to Humility, Integrity and Simplicity there is a profound allegiance that Christians should be who they say they are. I thoroughly enjoyed this article. As a freshman in Seminary, I received this article as advice for my future ministry. I agree with Wright when he states “… in so many ways we Christians do not live up to the calling of God.” I think we get tripped up over our trials and our own ambitions to be great. We seem to forget the promise God made to Abram, I will make your name great. If we just go where God tells us to go, He will make our name great; are we not covenant partners with Abram. We, as Christians, lose the mission because we are trying to do God’s job.
The points of Penitence in the Lausanne Covenant were very intriguing to say the least. I want to be the best ambassador of Christ I can be. As I endeavor to do this I can’t conform to the world or succumb to anything less then God’s will. At first contemplation of being a minister, I thought mostly about my ability to effectively preach the word of God. Now, I think about how my life preaches the word of God. A ministry life style is truly one of “costly obedience, self-denial, identification with the cross, commitment to the church and practical service,” proclaims Wright. Evading these postulates makes our cause for the kingdom of God fraudulent. The preaching aspect of calling the church back to its true mission is merely a bow on a complete package.
Wright’s comment “a church which preaches the cross must itself be marked by the cross” speaks profoundly to a fundamental foundation of an effective leadership of the church. A lot of ministers preach the cross, but few expose their sins that were forgiven on that same cross. Some ministers, in my opinion, forget that the gospel is still for them even though they are a mouthpiece for God. I believe the honesty of their own testimony evangelizes the realness of the gospel.
I do agree that there is danger in teaching racial superiority. I am on the line about teaching pride of one’s culture. Being a black woman, I think it is very important to teach pride in our culture which have been oppressed for years. Not a teaching of superiority, a pride that states blacks are not inferior which most are led to believe. The more I grow in my calling, the more I realize that as long as one’s blood is red, I can preach the pride in being forgiven on the cross.
Many ministers that prosper in mega churches and some that monopolizes small cities churches fall into the temptation of greed. I don’t necessary believe in the excessiveness of pastors but does being Christian mean one can not possess nice things? It is hard to accept that choosing Christ means I have to settle for less. Simplicity is challenging for me. I want nice things. I want the elegance of wealth, but with the humility that I know I am favored by God. I want to be in the position to bless others and let them know that it is only by the grace of God.
Wright’s synopsis of education and leadership is profound to me; “many converts never grow up in Christ.” That is something that has perplexed me for a long time. Seeing older people in the church and they never seem to know any better than when I was younger knowing them. I often wonder when will they get past the superficial confession and let their lifestyle mimic what they confess. I have a servant’s heart and I endeavor to have my life preach the gospel as God uses me as His unique mouthpiece and vessel for His will.
Spiritual conflict is always at hand when one does not subject one’s self to the Holy Spirit. It is a battle that ministers, leaders and missionaries do not let their own issues drive their convictions of the gospel as they portray them to the world.
The three key challenges identified with the Lausanne Covenant are vital in calling the church back to humility, integrity and simplicity. I think it starts with the leadership of the church and filters down for growth of the Kingdom of God. As we learn how to be effective ministers and ambassadors of Christ, we have to remember and purposely chose to be humble and simply and practice high levels of integrity in our daily living. In this mission, we draw closer to Christ while our lifestyle will witness the realness and truthfulness that Christ inspired to His followers. If the ones who preach the word are not living the word then Wright is correct, “the church as a whole pays the cost of their failure, in the loss of integrity and credibility.”
In conclusion, this article was great. It incited some meditation on my personal spiritual growth. That calling the church back to humility¸ integrity and simplicity starts with the leadership; it starts with me. Leadership being humble, simple and having integrity sets the example for the church. If we are the church, we set the example for each other; encouraging humility, integrity and simplicity in each other. I enjoyed the article.
15.03.2011
United States
@ JourneywithCHRISTie: Hey Christie!
I agree and think you made a good point about the rest of the Body of Christ paying for the mistakes of a few. We forget that we’re called to be God’s PEOPLE not just His person and we are all in this together! We will either work together towards the plan God has laid out for us or we will be convicted together.
08.07.2012
United States
@ JourneywithCHRISTie:
Living up to the call that God has on our lives takes humility, integrity, and simplicity. We need these attributes to do the work of the Lord. Often times we want to share some of God’s glory but humility, integrity, and simplicity keeps us grounded.
Donnie Thurman
10.07.2012
United States
@ DonnieLewisThurman:
There has been too many times where I have had to pray for humility. As a worship leader, it is difficult to not get caught up in the sound and coolness of things. Its tough to not want some of that self-glorification. But prayer for humility is something that I believe strongly in.
10.12.2012
United States
Sadly, it only takes a few hyper-visible corrupted church leaders to turn off thousands of people to the gospel. The hundreds of thousands of decent, humble, godly leaders of the less visible churches then have a more difficult task on their hands - not only defending the gospel, but also often comforting a shattered and confused congregation.
The corrupt snakeoil salesmen of the prosperity gospel create a terribly diffucult conundrum. If the godly, humble leaders preach the truth to counter the prosperity lies, the good come across as being the dividers, and the world is once again turned off.
We need to simply ask God to protect us from the temptations of big buildings, big budgets, big parking lots and big auditoriums, and ask Him to give us a hunger for Him, no else.
11.10.2010
United States
@ Scott_D_Sussex: Your comment made me think about the pervasive metaphor in books such as Zechariah and Jeremiah about the "refiner’s fire.". When the refiner is purifying the gold or silver, he is only after one thing: pure gold or silver. Everything and anything else is an impurity. For the Church, we need to be more like our God: after one thing,setting aside all that hinders us from that.
08.07.2012
United States
@ Scott_D_Sussex:
Very well said we often times loose focus when we began to glorify ourselves or what we are doing. We must realize that we are only instruments that God works through. His grace and mercy lifts us up when we fall into a mess, then God somehow or another gives us a message for his people. When this transpires we should become humble.
Donnie Thurman
10.07.2012
United States
@ Scott_D_Sussex:
Chris Wright mentioned, "identification with the cross" in the article. When we understand what Jesus death meant in dying on the cross we should be even more humble to think that he did for us what we could not do for ourselves. Isn’t it good to know that God loves us that much. Even when we fall short God still gives us grace.
Donnie Thurman
10.07.2012
United States
@ DonnieLewisThurman:
I agree our actions ought to pour forth from an awareness of God and what he has done for us through is son. Truly we forgiven because we have been forgiven by God. We love because out of the love we have been freely given as children of God.
08.12.2012
United States
@ DonnieLewisThurman:
I agree that we lose focus when we become self-obsorbed. But, couldnt it be the other way around also? We become self-obsorbed when we lose focus on God.
It works boths ways I think.
10.12.2012
United States
I hear you asking, are we distinct and ’holy’ as a people? Or are we driven by the same prideful lusts of the world cultures we live within? These are questions worth asking not just every 10 years for the Congress, but hour by hour for those of us who follow Christ.
Thank you for asking these questions, Chris.
18.10.2010
United States
@ OrdinaryCommunity: I agree that "State of the Union" type calls to repentece are a good idea, it you are right in that we need to individually and corporately examine ourselves and the validity of our witness. Sometimes it is hard for us to understand that we can only go forward. Y going back to the source.
08.07.2012
United States
@ OrdinaryCommunity:
Good question, we must realize that only what we do for God will last. As Christians we need to develop a hunger for God and the word of God verses things of the world.
Donnie Thurman
10.07.2012
United States
@ earnold:
Chris mentioned in the article "costly obediance" obediance is costly when we do it Yahweh and not Our Way. Obediance is doing it and thinking about it later. Often times we have to think about it and ponder over it then that is not obediance.
Donnie Thurman
10.07.2012
United States
@ DonnieLewisThurman:
Thats tough stuff. You’re right. So often we may hear God tell us to do something, but then we have to think about it to "make sure" it benefits us. When in reality...God wouldn’t ask us to do this thing if it wasn’t beneficial. And it may not be beneificial at the moment...or even for 5 years. But God is watching out for us. Always.
09.12.2012
United States
On p. 2, Wright acknowledges: “we confess that we have sometimes pursued church growth at the expense of church depth, and divorced evangelism from Christian nurture.” To walk alongside someone is to disciple them. This task is not glamorous but requires a lot of patience and effort. I am glad this article gave this reminder to humbly be faithful in all areas- evangelism and discipleship.
08.12.2012
United States
@ Chels:
I love what you said about walking beside someone is tough and takes great patience. Its so hard to be consistent in this, and sometimes its easy to just give up and let the next person have their chance with someone. During this time of "geeze...this isnt benefiting either one of us anymore" is when we should go to the Lord in prayer. To pray for strength in loving a person and for patience. I think the power of prayer is something that goes un-noticed sometimes.
09.12.2012
United States
I feel inspired by this paper. Christians are to give up striving for power and instead pursue humility while realizing that we have all we need in God. There are constantly new clothes, gadgets, and toys being produced. Media portrays the message that people need this “stuff” to be happy. McDonald’s slogan is “we love to see you smile” as if unethical unhealthy burgers produces endless bliss. It is easy to fall prey to greed and takes discipline to be content with what we have. Simplicity is a worthy goal and one that as Christians we are called to pursue.
08.12.2012
United States
@ Chels:
I agree completely that simplicity is a calling that we are Christians should acknowledge and try our best to take seriously. It makes me think about the church being simplistic. If we as individuals are supposed to be simple, then shouldn’t the church be simple too? Which is tough because we live in a digital age, where lights, transition movies and things like that are popular in getting people into the church. To be honest, I enjoy a larger more contemporary service. But, this paper makes me feel kind of weird when going to a digitalized church. And even traditional churches (who may not be digitalized) have elaborate stained glass, large noticable steeples, and other things that are not considered simple. It makes me want to have church in a house, under a bridge or in a wearhouse with just people and voices. May an acoustic guitar too =)
08.12.2012
United States
@ CamMitch:
You bring up very interesting point regarding churches and stewardship. Careful consideration ought to be give to how money is used within the church. Are we investing in kingdom causes or earthly causes?
08.12.2012
United States
@ Chels:
Its tough to not invest in earthly things. Especially with our digital culture. Even the powerpoints we use to show words on the screen is something of this world. So its tough to avoid earthly things. However, I think we can invest in earthly things as long as we use them for the kingdoms cause. Which is tough to discern what actually is for us and what is for God. I guess a lot of prayer is one way to get somewhat closer to an answer...
09.12.2012
United States
@ CamMitch:
I agree that material possessions can be used to further the kingdom of God. For example, a boat can be used to take people fishing. While fishing relationships are formed and conversations concerning Jesus and the truth he offers can be discussed. I believe it is how we use our resources. I agree careful consideration and prayer should be given to how we invest our resources- time & money.
09.12.2012
United States
The major way that Wright calls humanity to repent on p. 4 is to turn away from “idols of power, success and greed, and to live according to his demand for humility, integrity and simplicity.” I found it very insightful that Wright brought to light the idolatry of seeking power and success. In America the expectation is to go to college, get a good job, so you can get lots of money, get a good house, have a family, and pay for everything they need and want. The tragedy is that this goal is frivolous. There is no lasting fulfillment in it.
08.12.2012
United States
@ Chels:
All of the things you listed are so easy to get caught up in. For a lot of people the main goal is to either take care of themselves, or take care of their family. How are they going to do that? Money.
I agree that taking care of my family is my number one priority. But I do not want a lack money to be a reason that causes me to fail at taking care of my family. I hope that my wife and I can live as simply as possible and teach our kids that simplicity and humility are two of the most important things in life. Now, obviously I want the best for my family. So the living simply thing can be tricky and I am sure that there will come a time in my life when I step back and say "we probably dont need these things." But the question is...Will I be able to, along with my family, get rid of the "wants" and help to provide the needs of others first?
09.12.2012
United States
@ CamMitch:
Thank you for your comment. I agree with the idea of financial stewardship that your presented. Discerning what is a want and what is a need is key. It is wonderful that you realize the influential role a parent has in helping their children understand what is truly valuable.
09.12.2012
United States
My prayer is that each of us would leave Cape Town having heard God speak to us of tangible, practical steps we can take as individuals to return to humility, integrity and simplicity. I would hpe that we would share those things with one another and with our constituents back home and ask them to hold us accountable.
17.10.2010
United States
@ Prayman: Accountability is key for such a call. Acountability allows us to maintain trust and closeness to the way while providing a realistic example to others that this lifestyle of imitating Christ is not easy, it is not a one time decision, and it is not something we can do on our own. This is what I imagine Paul had in mind when he said for us to "urge one another on toward good deeds."
08.07.2012
United States
@ Prayman:
Absoloutely it is a good thing to hold one another accountable as Christians. When we hold one another accountable and challenge one another to live up to God’s expectations it is awesome how God begins to work in our lives.
Donnie Thurman
10.07.2012
United States
@ Prayman:
Self Denial is a term that is not too popular in Christianity today. Simply because we are driven by self. Self Denial seems impossible when we look out of the natural eye. But when we see things God’s way it is amazing how God gives us stamina and endurance.
Donnie Thurman
10.07.2012
United States
@ earnold:
I agree accountability is necessary in the Christian journey. We need one another to keep us in check as we pursue humility, integrity, and simplicity
24.11.2012
United States
@ Chels:
I am a huge advocate for accountabilibuddies. Obvisouly I talk with my wife about everything, but I also have a best friend who I can talk with about certain things, and so does my wife. Like Chelsy said, it is important to have someone to bring us back to humility and to listen to us when we need to vent and other things.
25.11.2012
United States
@ CamMitch:
The term "accountability-buddies" is very interesting. How wonderful to have a consistent individual to confide in and help keep you in check. All people would benefit from having someone to support them in such an intimate and encouraging way.
08.12.2012
United States
I found this sentence to be particuarly relevant: “there must be integrity between our words and our living.” We are to be a liing model of what we claim to believe. Perhaps our greatest messages are displayed by our actions rather than our words.
24.11.2012
United States
@ Chels:
Agreed! Obviously I am not perfect and I let my words become stronger than my actions, but it makes me sad when pastors/leaders in the church say that certain things need to be done to reach others in the community but then no action is ever taken by the pastor/leaders. The church body will typically reflect the actions of the leaders in the church, and without action from the leaders, the body will most likely be "all talk with no walk." This is something that I want to work on, but also pray for the leaders in the church.
25.11.2012
Indonesia
Thank you Lord using Chris touching my heart with this paper. I’m even thinking that this calling must owned by us, put it deep in our heart, as Lausanne delegates before we go for congress. I will do by my self. I am confessing, that i am too many talk and less pray. Too many attend meeting without much significant effect in implementation. Too selfish . Not enough loving my neighbors and people around me. Too stingy. Too many reasons of unspoken about gospel. Really I am not deserve to attend such great congress. I really need humility, Integrity and Simplicity. May Lord mercy upon me.
08.10.2010
United States
@ Ishak_Sukamto: I appreciate your honesty and sincerity. I too am more willing to offer my advice to someone than take them before the Throne of God. I too claim that I want to see the gospel reach the whole world and yet desire to see myself achieve more, at the expense of others. I am so glad you went to this congress and that you were sensitive to the Holy Spirit working in your heart. Thank you for being an example!
08.07.2012
United States
@ Ishak_Sukamto:
What an awesome challenge. When we think about all that God has done for us that should really humble us, make us want to do more for the edification of the Kingdom of God and focus less on ourselves and the non sense of this world and be better stewards of what God has given us.
Donnie Thurman
10.07.2012
Thailand
Wright’s paper points out that the Lausanne covenant balanced the confession of faith that we affirm from Scripture and also the confession of our failure to live up to God’s calling. He observes that “It is tragic that many of the things that the Lausanne Covenant called us to turn away from, back in 1974, are still the very things that afflict and infect the church 36 years on. However, this should not depress us or paralyse us. Rather, it challenges us to come back yet again to our gracious God in renewed repentance and recommitment in our own generation.” He then walks through points of penitence that we can glean from the covenant.
Rather than trying to review comprehensively what he has done, my suggestion is that the article be read, printed out and saved with our Bibles and prayer materials and periodically prayed through. He begins with specific sections from the covenant document, looks at three key challenges, biblical resources, and finally some contemporary concerns. The challenges-the idolatry of power and the call to humility, the idolatry of success and the call to integrity, the idolatry of greed and the call to simplicity-are then related to the contemporary concerns of the abuse of power and status, our lack of integrity where “success” and “speed” become more important than obedience to Jesus, and greed where some forms of a Gospel of prosperity crassly proclaim and model greed and ambition. This is hard hitting stuff.
I want to zero in here on an issue that I think is to the problems that Dr. Wright unpacks for us in his paper…it has to do with the way that we as Christians approach the task that God has given to us. I frame it like this: When we come to Scripture our worldview is shaped by our hope of an end that is rooted in our participation in the glory of God, and this includes all the tribes and tongues of the world. This means that Christians are a people of purpose, history has an end point; and thus we carry out our participation in God’s plan and purpose with a strong sense of the need for fruitfulness of effort and results.
This purposeful pursuit of fruitfulness is precisely the knife-edge that we face-the continual temptation to draw upon sources for fruitfulness and results that are at odds with the Gospel itself and the character of God. The papers by Wright and Guiness and Wells reveal to us our sin at the nexus of human methodology and achievement and the adopting of values that are part of the world system and a flat-out contradiction of the ways of the crucified Messiah. Our zeal for results makes us pragmatic, so that the ends we seek become the justification of the use of means that distort or deny our message.
John Seel in “Modernity and Evangelicals: American Evangelicalism as a Global Case Study” (in Philip Samson, Vinay Sameul and Chris Sugden eds., Faith and Modernity, Oxford: Regnum Books International, 1994, pp. 287-313) observes that evangelicals have been careful to preserve theological orthodoxy “while simultaneously uncritically accommodating to the tools of modernity whether in marketing the church or mending the soul” (295). He then shows how the cultural icons of Disney, McDonald’s and MTV have all found a home in American evangelicalism (296-308).
The challenge of being relevant while retaining the ability to prophetically critique culture is huge. It is natural that we look to our human part in the equation in terms of getting results. But an over-emphasis on that point makes it easy to slip into pride and to act as if we can come up with solutions. However, to withdraw from the world and rest only on the sovereignty of God and sit back and do nothing is also an error.
So where do we find balance? There are no easy answers here. In my own searching and wrestling on this subject I have come to believe that we need to push ourselves back into Scripture, ask the theological questions first, and commit ourselves to doing things that flow from the Scripture in terms of values and practices, even when it looks ludicrous in the eyes of the world system, and trust God for the results. This position requires human effort, but only in directions that are consonant with the Gospel and God’s character, and leaves ultimate results in the sovereign God’s hands.
The picture that I have often used to illustrate this position comes from the introduction to the 1992 edition of Victor Frankl’s “In Search of Meaning”. Frankl, who was 87 at the time, and a holocaust survivor, noted how we was often asked how he felt about the success of his book, which had almost one hundred printings in English and was published in 21 other languages. He notes how he when he originally wrote it in 1945 he intended it to be anonymous, but later friends persuaded him to publish it under his name. And oddly it became a great success. He then says, “Again and again I therefore admonish my students both in Europe and America: Don’t aim at success-the more you aim at it and make it a target, the more you are going to miss it. For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side-effect of one’s dedication to a cause greater than oneself or as the by-product of one’s surrender to a person other than oneself.”
So I call this the “ensuing” strategy for fruitfulness…we surrender ourselves to Jesus and to his cause, and seek to do what he commands in the manner and spirit he models for us, and he will bring forth the fruit that will glorify his name. Many of the sins and challenges enumerated in these two papers arise out of pursuit strategies of success that pragmatically draw on the values of the world system, rather than abiding in Christ and letting the results ensue.
22.10.2010
United States
@ AlanJ: Thank you for addressing these points so articulately! This reminds me of the verse that says, "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these (other) things will be added to you." only is we let the victory and the success be God’s can we give Him the glory!
08.07.2012
United States
@ AlanJ:
I find it to be amazing how God works, those things that infected the church years ago are the same things that causes us to stumble to this day. I think God has so uniquely designed things to happen this way just to keep us humble. Humility causes us to recognize our failures and teaches us that we need God’s power to make a comeback through a setback.
Donnie Thurman
10.07.2012
United States
What a great article! It should make us realize that we need to look in the mirror and make sure we demonstrate the humility, intergrity, and the simplicity of Christ. We reach the world through Christ, not ourselves.
I did have one question: How do we live in simplicity?
22.10.2010
United States
@ jlovela1: Philippians 4 is a good place to start. I think we have to ask ourselves the question: is this what I want most or what I want now? What we all want most is to see the Kingdom of God increase and be cared for. What we want now may be a new $500 phone when our old one is working fine. We have to choose not sacrifice what our greater desire is for what our immediate desire is. We live-in the US-in a culture that glorifies instant gratification. As Christians living and sharing the gospel, we must decide to live counter the culture in this aspect. A great example is Michael Card’s song "The Things We Leave Behind."
08.07.2012
United States
I love this:
The church is the community of God’s people rather than an institution, and must not be identified with any particular culture, social or political system, or human ideology.
As one who has a heart for Mslms to enter the Kingdom of God, I love the idea that the Church is not bound by Western culture. I strongly believe that Jesus wants the Body of Christ to include people of all colors and races and cultures - including those from Mslm backgrounds. And I look forward eagerly to the day we will see it!
13.10.2010
China
@ Mere_B:
I would agree with you if you mean that the church is not western, and Mslim background believers who trust in Isa as the Son of God are saved just as we are.
14.10.2010
United States
@ Mere_B:
If you believe the scriptures and I do you will know that it will happen, every knee shall bow and every tounge confess that Jesus is indeed Lord.
29.04.2012
United States
@ Mere_B:
Yahweh is a missionary God, and he is a God of all nations. God teaches us the value of being a witness. When we fail we come to the realization that we have to have more of God’s power and we cannot do it on our own. It is all about HUMILTY. We have to be broken before God can actually use us.
Donnie Thurman Sr.
02.07.2012
United States
@ DonnieLewisThurman: I think in addition to that, we need to make it more acceptable for people to be broken before us. Our churches need to be a place where people can confront their sin and failure (both individually and corporately) in an atmosphere of grace and forgiveness. If we want people to be humble and broken, we must stop punishing people through gossip, disapproval, and rejection when they do drop the facade. We are all okay when someone comes to the altar to cry and pray, but what do we do if someone is having a breakdown before Sunday school or in the parking lot? The church needs to decide if it is going to be a community that welcomes sincerity and repentece or not.
08.07.2012
United States
I enjoyed reading Calling the Church back to Humility, Integrity, and Simplicity. Yet while I felt it was good overview, I would have wanted to see specific issues that are facing Christians today being addressed. For instance, pornography and sexual sin among Christian men and women is reaching epidemic porportions, yet I feel that those sins can be glossed over by calling them "stumbling blocks," areas of "spiritual conflict," or a lack of integrity. Maybe this paper is not the place to specifically talk about the most troubling sins affecting the Christian Church today, but my concern is that without addressing them by name, there may just be a continuation of denial among those struggling with them in their lives.
11.10.2010
Kenya
@ MikeL:
Mikel, Although I don’t doubt you are right - where do you get your statistics about the ’epidemic propoertions’ you are talking of? Indeed - Christian ministry combined with pornography and sexual sins can easily be a farce. How to overcome this? Why is it worse than it has been in the past?
12.10.2010
United States
@ MikeL: I feel Wright did mention specific sins, but maybe not the ones we were hoping to be called out on. Sexual sins and pornography can easily be a category apart from many of us and they are "scandalous sins" that make some people feel superior to people engaging in them. But the sin of excess that most of us in western culture can be accused of is more widespread and deeply rooted--of true epidemic proportions. More Christians not only are guilty of this sin, but we have lied to ourselves with the belief that all this material abundance is from God. Jesus clearly said we were blessed if we were poor, persecuted, and humble. Yet we like to feel our possessions and lifestyles are examples of God’s favor, not our choice of things and comforts over truly increasing the Kingdom of God. Wright has done a bold thing to ask us where are treasure (our hearts) are.
08.07.2012
United States
Chris, thank you for reminding us of our calling as Christians to humility, integrity, and simplicity. Unfortunately, we as human beings tend to gravitate toward the power, success, and greed of life. Perhaps this is why even after so many years we must be reminded of the Lausanne Covenant of 1974. Christ instructed us to daily decide to follow Him... to daily take up our cross. Each follower of Christ must daily decide to embrace humility, practice integrity, and strive for simplicity. Though we have been saved through faith in Christ, we continue to strive with the old nature that lives within us. I believe that part of our Christian walk in this life is regular repentance for the power, success, and greed we have craved and regular commitment to the Christian ideals of humility, integrity, and simplicity that God has called us to follow. I believe this will be our pattern as Christians until the Lord’s second Advent.
06.12.2011
United States
@ padre_todd:
Yes Todd we must remmeber this is the work of the tempter, to cause us to seek after what looks like power, and it will be that way until Christ comes back.
29.04.2012
United States
I applaud Chris for his bold plea to the church to recall our Lord’s command to live humble lives, full of love for others.
As Chris states, "God intends the church to be a model of the gospel it preaches, especially modeling the way of the cross."
The lives we live, and the message we speak, must be congruent. Most importantly, when the church lacks LOVE for people in deed, we are not capable of proclaiming the Good News in word.
Could it be that we, the church, are now experiencing the fruit of our own selfish and prideful labors? Chris asserts that we have neglected true discipleship (teaching the self-denying message of the cross) for the pursuit of numerical growth in the church. As a result, we have forfeited the true depth of spiritual maturity for a shallow faith, easily succumbing to the temptations of pride, arrogance and greed.
I agree, Chris... "the call to sacrifice and simplicity needs to be heard again." May your humble plea go deep into the heart of God’s people.
21.10.2010
United States
I am once again convicted of my own lapses in humility in fully engaging with the gospel, with those around me who are crying out for the love of God through Christ. and who live with so little and need just a bit to be relieved of the anguish of their physical, emotional and spiritual poverty. My part as a chaplain is to listen compassionately and while being I see around me efforts of folks to live much more humbly and simply than in the past and my wife and I are striving to do likewise and share our abundance then with those agencies making a difference in a world full of needs for basic necessities like food, clothing and shelter. I so appreciate the authors here who turn our attention again to the world of want for God who loves and His people who reach out with humility leaning on God to best use their abundant resources to meet the needs of the so many hungry, ill and without hope. The gospel of Jesus Christ is all about hope, and when I sit in my comfort while others suffer, I am not responding or sharing the love of Jesus Christ. I again repent seeking God and suffering peoples’ forgiveness and strive again to trust in God to lead me on His right path through Jesus and in the empowerment and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
18.10.2010
United States
I found this paper, like many of the other readers, convicting. However, I’m guessing that these points were equally convcting when they were first made 36 years ago. But yet the errors persist.
For example, the curriculum for an Intro to World Missions class at a local seminary is largely focused on statistics and how many "people groups" are left to be reached. The focus seems to remain on numbers.
I think that Wright’s best point is the idea that we seek conversions at the sacrificing of discipleship. And yet we wonder why so many Christians are transient and do not remain at one church very long.
It would be very interesting if our altar calls and invitations to "pray the prayer" included an honest assessment of whay Biblical discipleship really looks like. But after thinking about it, that might trend towards legalism.
Dan
17.10.2010
Norway
I am sure you know the Lutheran/Reformed distinction between ’law’ and ’Gospel’ - the law guiding us through life, but also revealing our sinfullness; the Gospel offering us forgivesness and a new life with the risen Christ. Reading your paper there is quite a lot of law, but not so much Gospel. You write well about idolatries; could you also have lifted our eyes to hear afresh the good news about being raised with Christ to a new and different life?
14.10.2010
Mozambique
Thanks for an important article,
Working for an international Christian NGO I am wondering how the Christian NGO’s measure up to the Humility, Integrity and Simplicity tests?
We could probably do with a lot more of these also.
14.10.2010
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