Jump Start # 3086

Jeremiah 6:17 “And I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet but they said, ‘We will not listen.’”

Recently, I had a conversation with two different people about how things were going in their congregations. I like to hear success stories. I like to hear ideas that can help us. I want the kingdom to grow and grow and grow. But in both conversations, the tone was dark. Hearts were depressed. Things were not going well. Both individuals, in different places, felt stuck. We talked. Being the one who loves to fix things, offer ideas, suggestions and “have you tried this,” was all put forth. Stuck. Stuck. Stuck. That was the feeling.

Our verse comes to mind, but then it doesn’t. The Jeremiah passage dealt with a nation that was doing wrong. Idolatry had filled the veins and the heart of God’s people. Judgment was swiftly moving their way. It was time to stop and return. They would not. They would not return. They would not listen. They would not change.

The conversations I had wasn’t about churches doing “wrong” things. That’s a completely different conversation. Here, it was putting life into lifelessness. It was moving beyond traditions to a new level of depth, hope and growth. Contentment quickly becomes complacency and that’s where these people were. They could see the potential. They know how great things could be. But very few others saw that. It’s like a school teacher who has a very talented student, but he doesn’t want to excel. What a waste of talent. What opportunities are slipping by.

What can we do, was the plea put before me. Here are some thoughts:

First, grass root movements typically do not fair well in a congregation. Most are viewed as threats to the leadership and are stopped about as quickly as they started. Change needs to come from the top down. The leadership needs to lead in this area. Most don’t. Most don’t see the need to change. Most are happy with the way things are. Suggestions, ideas and pleas fall upon deaf ears. And the feeling of being stuck, stuck, stuck rises.

How does one move leaders to think about making things better? Put material in their hands. Suggest guest speakers who understand how things could be better. Have a sit down one on one with each of the shepherds and talk. Suggest they visit other places that seem to be doing more.

Second, threats, pressure and splitting a congregation are not the best choices. That most often does not accomplish what is needed. It’s not another congregation, it’s a better us. Proverbs tells shepherds to “know well the condition of their flock.” Many don’t. They don’t know what others are feeling. They don’t sense some are “stuck spiritually.” I have found that most shepherd a congregation the way they saw it from the men before them. We just hand the baton on, from generation to generation, with very little thought about making things better. Having studies about these kind of topics are helpful. Looking at Ezekiel 34, 1 Thes. 5:14 and other passages makes one realize that the 32,000 foot view of the church misses many things. Assuming everyone is fine is often a mistaken assumption. Good men have been appointed shepherds without realizing that they must raise the bar on themselves if they want the church to do better. Having studies and opening eyes to what the Bible teaches is the best place to start. Progress will be slow. Baby steps are hard at first. But this is where it must begin.

Third, praying to the Lord for things to improve is a must. Invite the Lord in. Having families in your home, for singings, Bible studies will generate some interests, life and hope. Patience through all of this is necessary. Most congregations took a while to get in that “stuck” position and it often takes even longer getting them out. Some people are afraid of change. Some are afraid to look different from the other congregations in the area. Sticking with the Bible, keep teaching, showing and offering Biblical suggestions. Don’t expect others to fix everything. Offer yourself. Offer your home. Offer your services. Be part of the solution.

I have been stuck before. I have been stuck spiritually before. It’s not a fun place to be. It’s hard to get excited about the Lord. It’s hard to be evangelistic when you feel stuck. Stuck leads to going through the motions and that is not where one wants to be.

In our world today, congregations easily can become global. The means to put out blogs, podcasts and videos are fingertips away. It takes some planning, dreams and work but it can be done. Too whom much as been give, much is required, is what our Lord said. The opportunities to do more and more are there. It’ll take some leadership, some organization, some money and some work. But won’t it be worth it.

But even in a stuck congregation, one can serve and honor the Lord. Our relationship with Jesus is not wrapped around the wellbeing of a congregation. Sardis was dead, yet there were some there who were walking with the Lord. Don’t allow the complacency of others to fill your heart. Expect the best. Give the Lord your all.

I would even suggest printing this Jump Start and handing it to the leaders and saying, “This is how I feel. Can you read this and can we have a conversation about this later?” Then follow that up. Get some dates on the book and begin the process of talking.

Stuck…stagnate…stale…that’s no place to be. It’s not in our homes, our marriages, our hearts nor in our congregations. God deserves the best and we must step up and give Him our best by doing our best.

Can I help?

Roger

Jump Start # 1877

Jeremiah 6:17 “And I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not listen.’”

Our verse today, shows the rebellious and stubborn spirit of Judah towards God. The Lord was trying to prevent disaster, but they were bent on staying the course of their idolatrous and rebellious ways. The verse before has God declaring, “Ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and you will find rest for your souls.” That sounds wonderful and inviting. You’d think the nation would rejoice to hear such words. But, no. That verse ends with, “But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’”

The following verse, our verse, has God appointing watchmen. Their role was to stand upon the walls of the city and WATCH. If they saw trouble coming, they would blow their trumpets and people would run to shelter. Today, we have tornado warnings. We hear them and we should take cover. Some don’t. Some ignore them. In Jeremiah’s day, the people responded, “We will not listen.” Trumpets are blowing and we are not listening. How foolish.

There are some people who refuse to listen to anyone, including God. They don’t care what the Bible says, they are going to do what they want to do. They do not come from the standpoint of ignorance. The person who doesn’t know may get into the same trouble, but the reasons were different. One person just didn’t know. The other knew, but he chose to ignore the warnings. Some think that they are as smart as God. Some will not be told what to do by anyone. They become their own god.

It’s hard to deal with people like Jeremiah is describing. They won’t listen. They won’t take advice. They won’t stop and consider things. They are bent on doing what they want and they will. In the family, such attitudes are found among two year olds and teens. But you’d think a person should learn better by the time they are an adult. Many never have.

You see this illustrated in many ways. There is the guy who drives like he is at a NASCAR race. He is driving way too fast, moving in and out of lanes quickly, riding the bumper of those who are not moving fast enough. No one is going to tell him how to drive. While he thinks this is fun, he is a danger to others on the road. His selfishness, arrogance and ignorance will get someone injured. But, he doesn’t care. He only thinks about himself.

In a marriage, this is the person who is so absorbed into what he wants to do that he acts more like a single person than someone who is married. Little thought is given to what the rest of the family wants to do or what is best for them. It’s all his way. He won’t listen to anyone. He believes he’s a real man, but truth be known, he lacks a heart and compassion. He ruins every relationship he touches.

What hope is there for someone who refuses to listen? Is there any possibility of changing? Is there any chance that things will get better? There wasn’t in Jeremiah’s days. The stubborn nation was taken into captivity and the city was ruined for a generation. A lot of people talk tough and act as if they have all the answers and know everything about everything. Proverbs warns against answering a fool. A person can try to defend what they believe, but most times it doesn’t go very far with these folks. They aren’t interested in a discussion, they want a platform to rant about all things that bother them. The list is usually very long.

Our passage brings forth another thought for us. God has set a series of watchmen in our lives. The first line of defense or help is the word of God itself. It warns us. It helps us. It keeps us safe. Do we listen to it? Do we pay attention to it?

In the home, the role of the father is to lead his family to Heaven. The father is a line of defense. The righteous man who shakes his head no at his daughter’s outfit. She may have a meltdown, but he is blowing the trumpet. Are we listening? He should rally the family to get to services. Do we hear the trumpet?

Next, God has arranged within the congregation, shepherds who are to watch out over the flock. They are looking out for our wellbeing. They see who is not doing well. They see danger coming. They blow the trumpets. They warn. Do we listen?

As important as leadership is in the congregation, the church needs to learn the lesson about following. Leading only works if there is someone behind you following. If the leaders are out there showing the way, but the flock has remained behind, sitting in the grass, refusing to get up, the leadership has failed. The reason why these certain men are in the roles of a shepherd is because they are qualified, experienced and trusted. They are there to keep us safe. The trumpets are blowing. Are we listening?

For centuries, the blowing trumpet was the signal in battle. A certain sound meant to move forward or charge. Another sound meant to pull back or even retreat. The young bugler was the line of communication between the commanders and the soldiers. In the heat of the battle, with all the noise going on, the unique sound of the trumpet could still be heard. It told the soldier what he was to do. Those that did not listen, often were found on the battlefield dead.

The trumpet keeps us safe. The trumpet signals danger is lurking and it gives us time to prepare. How interesting, the scene of the coming of Jesus is issued in by the archangel sounding the trumpet.

The trumpet blows, do you hear? Will you hear? Jeremiah’s people made up their minds that they would not listen. Shame on them. That was a dumb decision. It cost them their city and their lives. Will we do the same?

Roger