"Why couldn't we drive it (the demons) out?"

The disciples often had trouble understanding the work of Christ in this world. In Matthew the disciples struggled with doing the ministry. They tried but with little success. One day Jesus was asked to bring healing to a child. The child was believed to be demon possessed. The disciples were unable to provide the miracle the man desired for his son. Jesus used this time to teach a lesson about faith. He rebuked the disciples and healed the child, commending the man for his faith by healing his son. THE LESSON?

Well it seems that the disciples just did not understand thinks of the Kingdom of God. They were short-sighted. There are many reasons perhaps why the disciples had such a touch time understanding what Jesus taught. We have the benefit of seeing things through a rear-view perspective; having the Bible.

Yet, we too fall short in that we seldom can provide such an impressive act like Jesus demonstrated. It it that we spend so little time with Jesus? With so much medical or psychological knowledge, do we fool ourselves to think that we have the answer?

Perhaps we may never be given the chance to cast out demons like Jesus did but in the ordinary, do we pass up the little opportunities too? You know, the friendly greeting to a stranger, the opportunity to help the hopeless, and the casual opportunity to bless someone you may not even know.

Notice what Jesus said. Verse 20: "He replied, 'Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.'"

The faith of a small little mustard seed can move a mighty mountain?

In crisis evangelism, you have the opportunity to bring "a spiritual first-aid" to the frustrated and hopeless. Practicing a little faith for those who are hopeless can be a powerful thing. Showing a little love (in Jesus Name) to those who are in despair can shake the very earth; causing those in the valley to be lifted up to the summit of God's presence.


Matthew 17:14-22

14 When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. 15 "Lord, have mercy on my son," he said. "He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. 16 I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him." 17 "O unbelieving and perverse generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me." 18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" 20 He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
22 When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men.

The Ministry of ....

Ever wonder what “ministry” is really all about? I have pastored for over twenty years in a variety of local church setting and I am often amazed at how many church ministry applications there are. There are as many philosophies as there are pastors. Pastors use a variety of approaches; from evangelism to discipleship. Each approach uses “ministry” applications. But, what is the ministry?

Jesus demonstrated it through service. The disciples demonstrated it through leadership. The early church demonstrated it through carefully defined theology. Today, we demonstrated ministry through programs. Today, the church of America is fully equipped with every kind of resource and activity. Pastors often act as recruiters in the pulpit rather than conveyor of truth.

Ministry has become a rather complex set of programmatic solutions. Church consultants are needed just to understand how to find the right approach. Purpose-driven, seeker-sensitive, worship-art help confuse the meaning of ministry. Day-cares and small groups are created to provide programmatic answers for select demographic groups. Ministry is happening but exactly what is happening remains a mystery.

I question whether there is a strategic pattern to ministry or is it just a random series of programmatic attempts! I am not sure what the answer is but one thing is for sure; the ministry of the local church is not reaching the unchurched neighbor as well as it can.

In Crisis Evangelism, the approach is neither programmatic nor random. It is an attempt to present Christ’s message of love at a time of greatest impact. Crisis Evangelism serves to care for, listen to and pray for those dealing with crisis. It is a ministry of Christ’s presence!

I am reminded of Luke 10 that talks about Jesus sending out the disciples. He instructs them that as they are welcomed in homes to tell people that the Kingdom of God has come near to them. It they are rejected, Jesus says to just move on! It is one of the best illustrations of how ministry can transform hearts through a care-giving effort of love.

The next time you think of ministry, think about this; the impact of the church is best felt by those who need a gentle touch and a kind word. This is not program-driven but rather human and godly intervention. It is by all means a ministry of….God’s presence.

What does the church need to learn?

Isn't it amazing that the evangelical church has made such a profound impact on culture? Many of the great social impacts that the church has made include hospitals, medical clinics, youth programs, intercity missions, homeless shelters, counseling care centers and many philanthropic advances (to name a few) are attributed to the Christian faith. The evangelical church has contributed greatly over the past century alone!

In modern times, the church can not rest on it accomplishments. The church must learn! It must learn to reach our world in ways that demonstrate compassion and care. It must learn how to adapt it's ministry to meet the needs of people today. The church must adapt without compromising it's mission.

Today's blog centers on what the church must learn? As I write this blog today I sit at a Panera Bread in Coral Springs, Florida. The sites and sounds of people here impress me that the church must learn to adapt to the culture, language, experience of people within just a ten-foot reach of my computer. The church, particularly the evangelical church, must recognize the importance of keeping the message of Christ's love and hope of salvation relevant to the needs of people.

Today we live in a vastly diverse community. At this Panera Bread there are people from the Mexico, Caribbeans, Cuba, Porto Rico and nearly every region of North America. They come with many different backgrounds. What a mission field! But, how is the church to relate to this vastly diverse people group?

Perhaps I am simplistic but the answer seems to be in the way the church interacts with the culture we live in without changing the message of Christ. As I observe Panera Bread, it offers a market-researched product that connects with customers. They offer the same menu with a slight seasonal variation. They provide a positive impression and friendly service. They care about the needs of people (at least in the food and coffee department). Panera Bread may hold one key to effective Church ministry. It is consistency with it's franchises and products while exhibiting positive service. I have been to as many as ninety different Panera Bread stores in my travels and they are all very similar!

What of the church? How consist ant is the message from the Church? How consistent is the service? Like any McDonald's chain, the products, service and care is the same at every single McDonald's.

I am not suggesting that every church offer a coffee shop. But what may be a solution is that the church offer one consistent theme like "Service with a smile!" Yes, the church experience is unique and every denomination has it's focus but what if every Christian simple say, "How may I help you?" and follow through with "Thank you. Do you have any suggestions on how to improve our service?" The message of God's Love and Hope of Salvation in Christ remains the thread that weaves God's Word but it is mastered by the "Golden Rule" of treating your neighbor as you would yourself.

I read a book recently called "The Starbucks Experience" and it has forced me to think about how I treat others. While secular in nature it does impress on me the importance of Christ-likeness! Consider this: If every Christian were as nice to people at Church as the employees of great eating Establishments like Panera Bread or you name it, this would completely change the perception of Christians. Think about it!