Difficult Questions-- Week TWO, Take TWO!

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Last week was a lot of fun. Click HERE to read the questions we answered. Click HERE to listen online.

After doing it one week, we are adjusting and making some cool changes for this weekend. We are thrilled with the participation that we have had. We have received over 50 awesome questions. However, with so many questions, we have had to adjust our approach a tad. You will have to come see what we are up to. I'll give you a hint: BUZZER! Come this week and watch us answer twice as many questions in half as much time.
Here is a preview of the questions that Pastor Nelson and I will be addressing this Sunday:

  • How do you restore trust in your marriage after your spouse betrays your trust through an affair?
  • When are divorce and remarriage okay & when it is considered adultery?
  • Gay Marriage: I personally strongly disagree with homosexual marriage. But do I have a right to force that belief on someone else?
  • What does the bible say on homosexuality?”
  • Why is it wrong for unmarried people to live together? I see nothing in the Bible about living together.
  • Is it wrong to use the morning-after pill as a contraceptive?
  • Should I allow my children to read Harry Potter?
  • If God is no respecter of persons, why are Pastors called by a title and put on a higher level
  • How much is education/degree a factor in the Pastoral role in the church?
  • How do you know when your child is old enough to accept Christ?
  • Even though the Bible says honor your parents, should someone continue to honor an abusive parent?
  • Can we invite or allow more of the Holy Spirit into our Worship Services?
  • Why does CCF seem to follow the same pattern for Sunday services? Can we change it around every once in a while?
See you Sunday at 10:30am!!!

Leadership; Being the Bad Guy

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For current and aspiring leaders: I cannot write this post with enough passion. I mean what I am about to say with all my heart. Especially with all my "leadership heart"!

Here is what I believe is perhaps the greatest litmus test of the quality of a leader:
They do what is RIGHT, not what is EASY!
Let me say it in some other ways. You can tell the strength of a leader by these things:
  • They will say what others are thinking, but won't say.
  • They will make the tough decision even when it is not popular or comfortable.
  • They will make the right decision even when some close family, friends and teammates think it is "wrong." They will obey their gut regardless of the crowd's affirmation.
  • They will have the balls (oops, I meant "courage") to make a move that few people will make.
  • They will stand strong in their leadership even when their bold move causes a mess. Did someone tell you that courageous leadership was easy? And that there would not be backlash? If you were worried about the aftermath of the decision, it's probably because there WILL BE aftermath. That does NOT automatically mean it is the wrong call.
  • They are willing to be the bad guy for a good cause. I observe many leaders that are really good at being the good guy. But they almost never sign up to be the bad guy. They simply avoid any decision or conversation that may position them as such. That is NOT leadership.
  • They understand that leadership is not about popularity. If that is what you think it is, then you have not led much.
I have made decisions in the last week that were not popular. But I knew they were right. And I made them.
And I made decisions years ago, that I have NEVER been affirmed for. But I still know they were right. And I would make them again tomorrow if I had to. As much as it hurt.
To me, these are some of the most important qualities of leadership. It is what sets you apart to cause change and build people. Jesus is the most marvelous example of a leader who did and said some of the most controversial and unpopular things! It's one of the many things I love so much about him. And he did it for love. Which is why we need to do it!
(This will either be a chapter in a book one day. Or it may BE the book. I feel this. Deeply.)

U B U

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U B U!

You be you!
And let God be God!
Yesterday, we kicked off our Difficult questions series. I think that it went well! Next week and the following week will be even better. And juicier!
4 of the 6 questions that we wrestled with yesterday, seemed at the core, to have the same root issue. Namely: trying to figure God out.
  1. If God knows everything, is there really free will?
  2. If people worship the only way they were taught, what happens to them when they die?
  3. If someone dies having never heard the message of Jesus, what happens to them?
  4. What is the Trinity? How's that possible?
While we tried to answer these questions from several angles, they all seem to come back to the same place....
You will never figure God out! Let God be God. And you be you.
It seems that our insatiable desire to figure out how God thinks and makes decisions-- to figure out his make up-- and his decision making approach does a fantastic job of getting our focus off ourselves. Which is dangerous on several levels.
How about:
  1. Making right and godly choices whether God knows ahead of time what you will do or not!
  2. Go tell people about Jesus and live like He's changed you, so that they meet Him too-- before it's too late.
  3. Go live Matthew 28:18-20 NOW so that you take people to heaven with you. Waiting until God's curious moment of decision leaves you no time to do anything about it. Act now!
  4. Accept and sit with the mystery of the Trinity--- a mystery that centuries of believers have yet to figure out. I tend to doubt you'll be the one to crack the mystery.
You be you! You've got your hands full with that. And let God be God. But keep asking questions! It's in asking questions that we find answers.

If Air Force One Would Have Crashed This Morning...

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More and more, especially in moments of national tragedy, I am reminded that all people matter. All people are created by God! All people are made of flesh. All people have hearts and feelings. And it hurts just as much to see your President die in Poland as it does in America.

CLICK HERE to read about the Plane Crash that took the Life of Polish President Lech Kaczynski this morning.
If Air Force One had crashed and President Obama had died this morning, our nation would be in a state of turmoil. Plans would have likely been cancelled and we would all be glued to the TV. Just ask people 40 and older where they were when JFK was shot. They will remember. The world stood still. Of course there would be the jerks that would celebrate because they don't like Obama. They may even give God credit. But by and large, are nation would be hurting deeply today.
Well, Poland is hurting in that way! And we should pray for them. They matter just as much to God as Americans do! God is just as much on the move there as he is here. Empathy is all about putting yourself in the others shoes. Do that for a moment today. And pray like you just lost your President.

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When tragedies happen in other places in the world, it provides you an opportunity to grow your Kingdom Heart. A Kingdom Heart is one that loves all people---shows empathy for all people---wishes to care for all people---whether I know them or not---- whether they look like me or not.
God desires to pour out his spirit on ALL PEOPLE...
The NONE should perish....

Difficult Questions STARTS SUNDAY!!!

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I am incredibly excited about Sunday’s launch of our “Difficult Questions” series. Pastor Nelson and I just met this morning to finalize this Sunday’s message. It is GAME ON!!!

Here is a sneak preview to some of the Questions that we will be answering on Sunday:

  • If God knows all and he knows you and what you will end up doing...is there really free will?
  • If the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ...what happens to the millions of people who worship the way they were taught?
  • There are 1.8 billion people on earth who have never heard of Jesus. What happens to them when they die? They were never given a chance?
  • Should Women Be Pastors? Will there ever be a female Pastor at CCF? What is the biblical role of women in the body of Christ, especially as far as leadership?
  • We serve one God, yet the concept of the trinity confuses me. Can you please explain this in the most basic way?
  • Is God the Father the same as Allah?
  • Is God's love conditional or unconditional?

Many more to follow! We are so excited. Looking forward to a neat set design and informal, conversational setting. We would still love you to submit your questions. CLICK HERE to do it.

Excuses and Risks...YOU may be called on!

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Do you ever think about your future? Do you have any vision for it?

The more I dream about the things that I think the Lord will do in His church in my lifetime, the more I see YOU being used in it! Yes, you. I believe that more people will be "selling the farm" and launching into new levels of Kingdom work than we ever imagined. People with and without degrees. People with and without training and experience. God is going to be employing people with a Jesus heart!! But, I tend to think that some of the most awesome things we will see, will happen through revolutionary people who are willing to stop making excuses and start taking risks regardless of their resume.
Excuses to soon bid farewell may include:
  • I am too old.
  • I am too young.
  • I am too poor.
  • I cannot sell my house.
  • I have too much debt.
  • I am scared.
  • I need security and safety.
  • I have nothing to offer.
  • I am stuck.
Risks you may need to take could include:
  • Quitting a job.
  • Selling a car.
  • Selling a house.
  • Moving. Maybe far away.
  • Leaving familiarity.
  • Admitting your dormant dreams.
  • Confessing your past sin and wrong turns.
  • Sacrificing for Jesus like you never have before.
  • Being looked at by friends and family like you have lost yo mind!
Something is happening. The Lord is stirring a powerful move of God. And YOU may be more a part of it than you ever would have imagined.
Think new thoughts!
"Look, wonder and be amazed...for I am going to do things among you that you would not believe even if you were told." Hab. 1:5

Finish the class...

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School is on the home stretch when it starts to get warm like this. Today I was reminded of a recent conversation with one of my mentors. He was counseling me on a particularly tough situation I was dealing with. I was entertaining thoughts of letting up or even giving up on the challenge. I will never forget what he said to me...

Noah, finish the class!! Would you want to get this far into the semester and then drop out only to start all over again? You are almost to finals week. Hang in there. Don't take this class all over again.

Deep. Here is the deal: you WILL take the class. There are lessons that the Lord wants you to learn in life that you cannot skip out on. You will either do it now or do it later. It's up to you.
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1: 2-4

CCF has to move...

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Just a little while ago I received this text from Pastor Nelson:

Did you hear the latest Lanham news? The nuclear power plant that the president announced will mean that the land where CCF is built on will be needed and we will need to move! It will be some good money for us, but boy will it be a headache!
Last April 1st he told me that there was a bulldozer outside of CCF to take our building down because of outstanding debt.

He got me last year!!

And he got me this year!!

When will I learn?

I guess the April fools game was popular in Kenya, because this Kenyan friend is good at it!!

Happy April Fools Day!!

Who is influencing you?

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We are being influenced every day -- by many people and things and in various directions. But, how close are we examining those influences? I have always loved this quote:

Show me your friends and I'll show you your future. Who they are, is who you'll become.
The people that we spend our time around will determine our destiny. That includes friends (you choose), family (you don't), and many others. I picked up more on this concept while reading this BLOG recently.
Consider this...who is speaking into and influencing your life? Really. Make a list. And consider these thoughts:
  • Some people are helpful. Others are not.
  • Some propel us forward. Others hold us back.
  • Some are objective. Others are dangerously biased.
Who is influencing and shaping your life? Might you need to be more intentional about getting people around you that will help you get where God is calling you?

Warning: Be careful if you think that there is a relationship where you think that YOU are the only one that does the influencing. Probably not true. You are being influenced more than you think.

What are your plans this Wednesday evening?

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It's Holy Week.

We had a great Palm Sunday service at CCF yesterday.
We have a great Easter service in store for this coming Sunday.
But, between now and then....THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT 7PM.....CCF presents a passion week production entitled:
"Dwelling; A Passion Experience!"
If you live local to Lanham, MD-- you WANT to put this on your calendar!
See you Wednesday at 7pm.
Bring People!
Childcare Provided!
Jesus will be experienced.

Pagan Christianity; The Sermon

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Here are a few random thoughts about THE SERMON from my reading of the book, "Pagan Christianity".

The Sermon:
  • So central is the sermon that it is the very reason that many Christians go to church. In fact, the entire service is often judged by the sermon.
  • Sad part: remove the sermon from the weekly service and you will have removed the most important source for spiritual nourishment from a countless number of believers.
  • Yet the stunning reality is that today's' sermon has no root in Scripture. Rather, it is borrowed from Pagan culture and nursed and adopted into the Christian Faith.
  • The sermon actually detracts from the very purpose for which God designed the church gathering.
  • The Lord Jesus did not preach a regular sermon to the same audience.
  • The sermon is one of today's biggest road blocks to a functioning priesthood. Unfortunately, however, many of God's people are just as addicted to hearing sermons as many preachers are addicted to preaching them.
  • The contemporary, polished sermon can warm the heart, inspire the will, and stimulate the mind. But it rarely if ever show the team how to lead the huddle.
  • Let's be honest. There are scores of Christians who have been sermonized for decades, but they are still babes in Christ!
  • Nevertheless, despite the fact that the contemporary sermon does not have a shred of Biblical merit to support its existence, it continues to be uncritically admired in the eyes of most present day Christians.
Key clarifying statement from the author:
We strongly believe in teaching, preaching, prophesying, exhorting, and all forms of sharing the Word of God. We are simply saying that the modern sermon, which we define as the same person (usually a clergyman) giving an oration to the same group of people week after week, month after month and year after year is not only unbiblical, it is counterproductive.
I (Noah) was touching on and wading into some of this when I wrote THIS BLOG POST a while back.
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Note: If you are bothered by, disagree with or interested in what you read-- BUY THE BOOK! In all fairness to the author, he does a fantastic job of providing extensive footnotes with Biblical and historical support for what he says. Before you conclude that he is crazy (or me, for that matter)-- read the book. I guarantee that you do not know more than the author on this topic!

$50,000 in 10 weeks

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Yesterday we announced to the church that we are launching a short term fund drive. We also celebrated the very strong giving that we have seen so far this year! Outstanding show of faithfulness.

The Ask: We are trusting the Lord for $50,000 over the next 10 Sundays. (above general fund giving)
For what?
  1. The gym is separating from the main part of the building. Forensic experts have led us to believe that it is because of water drainage problems. We need to do some significant grading and drainage improvements around the building.
  2. We have been "robbed" 3 times in the 5 years we have been here. Some feel that there is a need for increased security around on our campus. We will be adding additional motion detectors and converting some problem doors to emergency exits.
  3. What is remaining will be intentionally placed in a facility reserve fund for future needs so that we will not be doing this again in a few months.
So....between now and the end of May, we invite you to sow into this project by marking your giving "building fund". Thank you!!!

Submit Your Questions Today!

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A few weeks ago I posted a Blog about the next sermon series that we will be launching at CCF the Sunday after Easter. You can read all about it by clicking here!

Well, there will be 2 ways to submit your questions anonymously effective NOW:
  1. Head to the CCF Website and click on the large visible link at the top of the home page. Type your question in the box and click "shout."
  2. Visit our Welcome Center at the church, grab a question slip, write your question and drop it in the box.
We are really excited to take a few Sundays to focus on questions and needs that are felt and real. Trusting the Lord to use this vision to make a difference. We hope you will participate. By the way-- feel free to submit questions that other people have asked you that you did not have the answer to.
--Noah

The Truth about Tricia

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Today is my wife's 3oth Birthday! I am so totally and completely blessed by this woman every day of my life. This blog post is dedicated to her. I wanna tell you the (good) truth about Tricia...unedited and uninterrupted by what anyone thinks:

  • She was born on St. Patrick's day-- but probably has no idea what it represents. We may have some green bagels and green beer. Okay, maybe not the beer.
  • She handles everything that pertains to Davis. Everything. I just "Daddy" him. She handles cleaning him, feeding him, dressing him, everything toys, everything, everything....
  • ...and she is a MARVELOUS Mommy to Davis.
  • She does all of our Laundry. I have not done a SINGLE LOAD OF LAUNDRY since we got married.
  • She handles all the finances. I participate in all the major decisions, but she does all the monthly bill paying, legwork and implementation. Thank you God!
  • She keeps the house clean. I do the dishes once for every 20 times she does them. (But, don't tell her because she does not realize it yet.)
  • She loves the mess out of kids. Any kids that are in her life. If a parent will let her love their kid, she will do it with her whole heart. She shows it to all of you through her ministry at the church.
  • She sweats me. Alright maybe not. But she loves me alot, alot. And she make me feel so special because of it.
  • Finally, she really, really loves her Lord Jesus with all her heart...and that is the truth about Tricia! Trust me, I live with her and I see her beautiful heart.
Sweetheart, you are one of the greatest gifts of Grace that I will ever receive.
Happy Birthday, Angel!!

Pagan Christianity; Pastors and their Salaries

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So, I am officially a fool for writing some of this online. But, it is so striking and provoking that I just cannot hold it.

Attention: should any member of the CCF Executive Board read this, know that I DO love my job and that I DO appreciate the paycheck. Thank you and God Bless. Sincerely, Noah Kaye
That said, here are some of the thoughts that Viola and Barna offer about Pastors and the Pastor's Salary:
  • Ephesians 4:11 is the ONLY verse in the Bible where the word Pastor is used. One solitary verse is a mighty scanty piece of evidence on which to hang the Protestant faith.
  • The NT never used the word clergy or laity and does not support the fact that there are those who do ministry (clergy) and those for whom ministry is done (laity).
  • The contemporary practice of ordination creates a special caste of Christian. The most important ministry is restricted to a few "special" believers.
  • Luther believed that the church was simply a "preaching station"...a gathering of people who listen to preaching.
  • Contrary to the early church, today pastoral care and soul care too often falls in the hands of one man- the Pastor.
  • "We believe that the pastoral office has stolen your right to function as a full member of Christ's body. It has distorted the reality of the body, making the Pastor a giant mouth and transforming you into a tiny ear. It has rendered you a mute spectator who is proficient at taking sermon notes and passing an offering plate."
  • Jesus Christ never intended anyone to sport all of the hats that a modern day pastor is expected to wear.
  • The demands of a pastor are crushing. They will drain any mortal dry.
  • Pastors live artificial lives and the pastoral role fosters dishonesty. Congregants expect their pastor to always be cheerful, completely spiritual, and available at a moments call. They also expect that he will have a perfectly disciplined family. Furthermore, he should never appear resentful or bitter. (yeah, right)
  • It is "lonely at the top" because God never intended anyone to be at the top-- except His Son!!
  • The contemporary pastor is the most unquestioned fixture in twenty first century Christianity. Yet not a strand of Scripture supports the existence of this office.
  • Ministers were unsalaried for the first three centuries. Constantine introduced it and it is a practice that has no root in the New Testament.
  • Giving a Pastor a salary elevates them above the rest of God's people. It creates a clerical caste that turns the living body of Christ into a business. Since the Pastor and his staff are compensated for ministry, they are paid professionals. The rest of the church lapses into a state of passive dependence.
  • Paying a Pastor encourages him to be a man pleaser. His meal ticket is attached to how much the congregation likes him. This he is not able to speak freely without the fear that he may lose some heavy tithers.
Understand that the author is NOT saying that there is no place for leaders in the church. However, he IS saying that the multi-faceted, high expectation, man-focused role that the "Pastor" is expected to play is unhealthy and unbiblical. No ONE PERSON in the body of Christ should ever carry so much of the load or the responsibility for the body. Jesus is the head, not the Pastor.
The author also noted that insecure Pastors will dislike this chapter. Personally, I think that insecure laypeople will as well.

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Note: If you are bothered by, disagree with or interested in what you read-- BUY THE BOOK! In all fairness to the author, he does a fantastic job of providing extensive footnotes with Biblical and historical support for what he says. Before you conclude that he is crazy (or me, for that matter)-- read the book. I guarantee that you do not know more than the author on this topic!

I love my church!

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My heart is full of joy as I head to bed tonight, and I just need to get something off my chest...

I LOVE MY CHURCH!!!
Seriously. Where else can you find this type of beautiful diversity and Jesus spirit? Today, we worshipped like never before. We danced. We shouted. We praised. We saw God display his power and his love. Kenyans hugged Indonesians. Americans ate with Jamaicans. Guyanese sat with Germans. 80 year olds worshipped next to jumping 3 year olds. This is an extremely special place. There is a favor that rests on this congregation that is palpable. I try not to brag too often...because I certainly don't want anyone to get it twisted and think that it has anything to do with me. This is work of the HOLY SPIRIT, a move of GOD and the reward for JESUS being lifted up! There are few churches under the sun quite like this one. Look out. God is up to something.
"Not to us, oh Lord, not to us...but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness." Psalm 115:1

Excited for today-- Psalm 117

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The words of Psalm 117 are the prayer of my heart this morning as I prepare to get ready to head to the church for a day of celebration. It is such an outstanding privilege that in just a few hours, I will be standing among a people from many different cultural, generational, economical, and denominational experiences--that we will all be lifting up the name of Jesus and connecting in authentic relationships. That is a gift of God's grace! And one I am especially thankful for this morning. Makes me long for heaven where we will all gather and worship the Lord.

From now on, every time I read Psalm 117, I will think of the day I sat in a small apartment in Central China, while a Chinese brother who found Jesus, led us in a song he wrote about Psalm 117. Wow! This is one of those moments you can never describe!
Psalm 117:

Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples.

For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.

Praise the Lord!