Sideways Energy
Can I get on my blog stump for a moment? We had a great bloggers roundtable down in Orlando at the National New Church Conference. So cool to talk some "philosophy of blogging." One of my linchpins is keep it positive.
Can I be positive about something negative? It just grieves me when I see infighting in the church. We're called to play offense. But we're busy playing defense against people who are supposed to be on our team. So we waste all kinds of energy fighting with each other when we ought to be fighting the enemy. Think of it as sideways energy.
Here's a thought: what if we used all that sideways energy and converted it into forward energy expanding God's kingdom?
Honestly? I'm shocked that I don't get criticized more than I do :) But what's frustrating is that most of the criticism comes from people who don't know my heart and have never heard me preach. Am I beyond criticism? Are you kidding me! I'm so flawed. And I'm so not omniscient. But I'd rather pick a fight with the enemy than pick a fight with a brother.
I just got an email from an NCCer--written with a genuine spirit. And I'm so glad she emailed me about it. But it came from a google search. Almost all of the 150,000 google listings are positive. But there is one from an unnamed source that is really negative. And it planted seeds of doubt. Again, don't get me wrong. I never want NCCers to take my word for it when I preaching. Test it against Scripture. And take God's word for it.
My friends, life is too short and the mission is too important to get negative and play defense and waste all that sideways energy! I honestly used to try to chase down negative posts or defend myself on other people's blog posts. But life is too short. And I'm not called to play defense.
So much of the criticism and controversy boils down to theological or methodological differences. And I'm not saying that they aren't important. But do we take Titus 3:9-11 seriously?
But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
I've always subscribed to something attributed to Rupertus Meldenius. In fact, it is the preface to our core beliefs. This is a great guiding principle:
In Essentials, Unity; in Non-essentials, Liberty; in All Things, Charity.
May we have the heartbeat of Jesus expressed in Luke 12:49:
"I must be about my Father's business."
Can I be positive about something negative? It just grieves me when I see infighting in the church. We're called to play offense. But we're busy playing defense against people who are supposed to be on our team. So we waste all kinds of energy fighting with each other when we ought to be fighting the enemy. Think of it as sideways energy.
Here's a thought: what if we used all that sideways energy and converted it into forward energy expanding God's kingdom?
Honestly? I'm shocked that I don't get criticized more than I do :) But what's frustrating is that most of the criticism comes from people who don't know my heart and have never heard me preach. Am I beyond criticism? Are you kidding me! I'm so flawed. And I'm so not omniscient. But I'd rather pick a fight with the enemy than pick a fight with a brother.
I just got an email from an NCCer--written with a genuine spirit. And I'm so glad she emailed me about it. But it came from a google search. Almost all of the 150,000 google listings are positive. But there is one from an unnamed source that is really negative. And it planted seeds of doubt. Again, don't get me wrong. I never want NCCers to take my word for it when I preaching. Test it against Scripture. And take God's word for it.
My friends, life is too short and the mission is too important to get negative and play defense and waste all that sideways energy! I honestly used to try to chase down negative posts or defend myself on other people's blog posts. But life is too short. And I'm not called to play defense.
So much of the criticism and controversy boils down to theological or methodological differences. And I'm not saying that they aren't important. But do we take Titus 3:9-11 seriously?
But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
I've always subscribed to something attributed to Rupertus Meldenius. In fact, it is the preface to our core beliefs. This is a great guiding principle:
In Essentials, Unity; in Non-essentials, Liberty; in All Things, Charity.
May we have the heartbeat of Jesus expressed in Luke 12:49:
"I must be about my Father's business."
15 Comments:
Amen!
Mark
What a great post. I recently found your blog a few weeks ago. I greatly enjoy many of your posts. I thought this post was a great one. Thanks for your "forward energy"
After hearing you at NNCC, sitting across from you at the round-table, and worshipping you from afar for a long time... I am pretty certian you walk on water! You seriously mean that we are all sinners in need of God's Grace?? (tongue firmly planted in cheek) Eccl. 3:7 "Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore I stand in awe of God." Keep up the positive, great blog, and keep killing lions while your at it!!
Mark,
Great post. I'm posting a few links to your blog in my weekly HOT LINKS section tomorrow, because you've been on fire lately with the blogs. You're doing a great thing there, and always carry your blog with a great attitude. Be encouraged!
Mark,
Can I make a confession... I used to hate reading blogs and the whole idea of blogging drove me crazy. It just seemed like a bunch of people who used technology to complain about things or say things about people that they were too afraid to say to their face.
Then I found your blog.
Your postivity, creativity, and enthusiasm have been a daily encouragement to me. Honestly, reading your blog has gotten me through some pretty tough times in ministry.
I have referred to you as my "virtual mentor." But the truth is I could drop the "virtual" because although we have never met personally, you have taught me so much. And I'm not just talking about practical insights or creative ideas (although those have been there too), but your whole positive outlook on life & ministry which seeps through every one of your blogs.
Thanks for always staying positive and for truly "redeeming technology" to make a difference in God's Kingdom.
Sincerely,
Paul Stewart
Amen and Amen. you do a great job of modeling this.
totally agree with your post...
and certainly agree that it's dangerous to be critical...especially when we're outside of the mix.
I wrote a post once you may enjoy:
http://strangeculture.blogspot.com/2006/08/on-beauty-and-our-critical-culture.html
--RC of strangeculture.blogspot.com
Pastor Mark,
Thanks for staying so positive, and keeping an open mind. Your faith in God, is an inspiration. What is happening @ NCC is evidence of the pastor that you are...it's the trickle down theory! I am so proud to be part of NCC.
God Bless,
Amy
This post has been removed by the author.
Amen, again!!
You just said what I've been thinking and praying for some time now. Energy given to "them" can't be given to God and his kingdom. Rock on brother!!
Mark,
You have become like a brother to me after all these years listening to you preach, see how you interact with every person you come in contact with. Even though you know I dissagree with you strongly and some of the values, I honored your request to never bring those arguements into the church or coffeehouse. If anyone wanted to debate with me on those issues that it should be done at my own home. I often see my relationship to you as the story of Namman and Elisha. Even though I thought of you at times as one of the enemy, you and all at NCC healed me of many things. I still wrestle with this Jesus of yours.
On a more personal note. My mother did pass away. Her funreal is this Saturday. Allprasyers in this regard would be apprecaited.
Good thoughts - how true that we spend do much energy over petty things...
1 negative (sorry) - methodological differences: not worth the bother really
theological differences: well thats what seperates JW's, Latter Day Saints, Islam,... from Christianity. Theological differences are what Titus was called to defend. Theological differences matter.
I think you would agree.
Keith,
Definitely need to define our theology and point out error. My only frustration is that sometimes we major on minors. Or we focus on our theological differences rather than focusing on what we all believe: Jesus is Lord.
It is tricky territory. No question. And we need to defend what we believe. But sometimes our infighting is totally confusing to those outside the church and can really cause people to think: If they can't get along or figure it out or love each inspite of their difference then why would I want to be part of that.
We live in that tension :)
Mark
I agree, Mark, our infighting can be very confusing and it does take away from the forward energy that should be going toward the mission.
Keeping pushing forward!
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