Scott Cheatham’s Weblog

Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation–an aroma redolent with life. But those on the way to destruction treat us more like the stench from a rotting corpse. This is a terrific responsibility. Is anyone competent to take it on? No–but at least we don’t take God’s Word, water it down, and then take it to the streets to sell it cheap. We stand in Christ’s presence when we speak; God looks us in the face. We get what we say straight from God and say it as honestly as we can.
(2 Corinthians 2:15-17 MSG)

My heart has been troubled recently.  Even as I write this, I am praying for God to move in a way that satisfies my thirst for his wisdom.  What am I questioning?  I am not even sure but I think it has to do with attitudes in a day when people need Christ now more than ever.  Let me explain:

Recently, I was reading the thoughts of a person I very much respect in ministry circles.  He had decided after years of attendance at another church that it was time for his family to move on to a new challenge.  In short, he settled on the mega church that was running five services, thousands in attendance, and of course, had a children’s ministry layout to rival even the largest Chuck E. Cheese restaurant.  I read similar thoughts from another leader I know and his thoughts were almost identical.  Both spoke of how their kids were dragging them to church so they could play in the play area (and of course, get some God in there as well).   In neither case did I hear anything about what was being preached from the pulpit.  That bothered me.  Perhaps it was an oversight but more and more as I seek to reach out to families, I struggle with issues like “Do you have a dynamic children’s ministry?”  Of course we do but that’s my opinion.  What is your definition of “dynamic”.  This is just one area but it really bugs me how we have created a church culture of “me” instead of “we”.  Many parents will visit and see that our ministry is housed in a cafeteria and wonder what their kids are learning.  Do they get to play?  Do we have a play area?  The questions go on and on.

To be fair, I realize the value of a solid children’s program but maybe this is where I’m old fashioned.  I believe the kids should learn how to sit, how to read and interact with a lesson, and THEN perhaps have a time of play when all is done.  What is it parents want their kids to learn?  Is it “dynamic” babysitting or do they want “dynamic” bible teaching?  I’ll never have the money to duplicate what I see in so many church plants on line.  To be honest, I don’t want to either.  That sounds selfish but I can’t justify spending that amount of money so junior will drag his mom to church and we call that evangelism.  I guess I’m missing the boat here and will be considered “behind the times” by some.

The above scripture spoke to my heart in this area.  I realize that as a pastor, I get the very words I speak from God and my job is to take His wisdom and present it the best way I can.  I am to preach the word.  That’s why earlier this year, I struggled with the idea of video preaching.  My thoughts were well documented and I received a fair share of criticism for them but that’s okay.  Interaction is what blogging is all about and I learned a lot from others who benefit from the things I questioned.  I just can’t shake the words from this passage out of my head.  For some, the smell of who we are will be a welcome fragrance while for others, stench!  I want to be relevant.  I want my church to grow to healthy levels…not mega church levels, just healthy.  I love my people too much to go “CEO” on them and ignore them after they’ve given me so much to see a dream realized.  I will preach and present God’s wisdom as honestly as I can.

My back and forth struggle comes from others who question what we do, why we do it, and why we aren’t already running 200 in our services.  Only God knows these answers.  I know that church planting is a difficult endeavor in the best of times but with an economy that’s in trouble and gas still very expensive, people are questioning themselves when it comes to things like church.  Some will follow, others will stay for a season and leave while still others smell “stench” and leave after a visit.  I’ve spent some lonely nights on a mountaintop prayer spot I made my own when I first moved to Denver.  As I look out over the city and see the lights, I envision each as a lost soul that needs salvation.  God give me just a handful of lights!  Help me to better serve them.  When you can’t offer a McDonald’s playland for their kids, do you have a chance?  I still think so.

My friend I mentioned at the beginning of this piece is a talented speaker and writer.  He has great leadership qualities and yet, he chose to relocate to a “safe” zone in my opinion rather than bring his gifts to a church that could really have used them to make a difference in the community they serve.  It makes no difference who he is.  He is a representation of much of the population we reach out to.  So many people could benefit churches that need the qualities they possess and yet so many will choose a “safe” option because it’s already built.  I believe Jesus calls us to something more challenging.

My time in God’s word constantly breaks me.  I made a decision years ago to read scripture and allow myself to be shaped by it and not to see how it could fit into my life.  I’ve been tempted many times to go another route but I know it’s what God expects.  So many get angry when they pursue this path because God will challenge our very best thinking but still, HIS word shapes me.  I don’t shape the word to fit my desires anymore.  Sometimes it costs me.  Not anything near what it cost Jesus to redeem me so I’m even selfish for saying that.  I guess this post is more about searching than anything else.  It feels cathartic for me to write it even as I sit in the quiet and listen to peaceful music.

To my readers, I pray for you often.  Pray for me if you are so inclined.  I am so blessed here and have a wonderful church family.  My supervisors are excellent as well.  I just want to do my very best to reach others and build a life-changing church for the glory of our Lord.  I pray over the decisions we make all the time.  Being in this position means you will get criticized.  I just want to know that despite that, God is pleased and that’s all that matters to me.

Have a blessed day!

ESV Study Bible

Those who know me know that my bible of preference when teaching or preaching is the English Standard Version.   I use different translations in my study but if I had to pick one, the ESV would be it.  I am quite excited about the upcoming release of the new ESV Study Bible.  I’ve been hearing about this study bible for two years now and have been impressed with the pre-publication reviews of this resource.  The publishers of the ESV, Crossway, recently released it’s own blog, youtube video, and a full PDF preview of the book of Jonah to help promote this edition of the scriptures.  From all accounts, it looks like this will be a fine study bible.  I plan on buying copies of it for those on my staff who preach as a year end gift.

The ESV comes in some great editions and most are available online.  The “Literary Study Bible” released last year is available as a digital resource for a very reasonable one-time price.  The new study bible, to be released in October, will be available at no cost online for purchasers of the text edition.  I’ve used the Literary notes extensively in my research and the online study helps offered by third party vendors with permission from Crossway make available many fine commentaries and study notes.  I have no reason to believe the online edition of the ESV study bible will be anything less than five-star.

All in all, this will be a standard for study bibles in the future.  The beautiful illustrations, full notes, and single column readability will rival any others I’ve used.  The quality bindings available will also make it last so your investment will be worth it.  As this text’s popularity grows, more materials are being made available for it.  One that I highly recommend comes from a pastor I admire greatly, Randy Sawyer.  HIs “Regaining Balance” book is a wonderful devotional that you could use for a sermon series or an entire church campaign.  Of course, if you just want to use it for your own personal quiet time, it’s excellent for that as well and it uses the ESV text as it’s base for the devotions.  Okay, shameless plug for the book over now!

When I receive my copy of the ESV study bible, I’ll give you a full review here  but from what I’ve seen in the PDF previews released, you’ll want to put this one on your Christmas wish list if you’re in the market for a new bible.

Monday, I stopped after sharing some thoughts about the subject of what discipleship is and what it seems to be in many places.  As I thought more about my words, I want to clarify that I’m not an anti-program type guy, just one who wants to make sure we don’t huddle all the cattle into the pen and think one way is the only way it’s going to get done.  If we want a fast-food discipleship program, then be my guest but I think it’s so much more than that and for the depth of what I think churches should be, it has to be more than that.

A Great Book

One of my favorite books on this subject was written by David Ping titled “Quick to Listen Leaders”.  The basic premise of the book is to learn to spend time listening to others in order to more effectively minister to them.  This applies to discipleship also.  Many times, we are ready to trust a willing person with a “mentor” to disciple and lead them through the ten followup lessons we have after they make a decision to follow Christ.  These are not bad at all but to think we can copy some lessons with bible quotations and expect the other guy to “get it” shows an extreme lack of concern for the fledgling Christian’s faith journey.

We must learn to understand the other person better in order to see to it that they are properly ministered to.  This does not happen unless you stop to get to know the other person.  There are many ways as a church body we can make this happen.  Among my peers, I am best known for my ministry to several Wal-Mart employees.  This didn’t happen as a result of a program but because I was asked to perform a funeral remembrance for a well-loved employee at my local store.  After the event was complete (We did this in full view of customers in the back of the store near the baby area!), I was asked to stay to console many who were crying and upset by their loss.  To be honest, it would have been quite easy for me to walk out of the store and let management know I had another commitment to attend to.  But instead, I made a phone call and moved the commitment and wound up staying the better part of the morning to talk to some of the employees.  This hasn’t been forgotten in the years since.  I still shop at that store, employees that know me stop and share their struggles, ask for prayer, and some even ask to meet with me at the local Starbucks nearby so they can just talk (and I can just LISTEN).  Several families from that store have attended or are still attending our church plant as a result.  Discipleship can happen anywhere.

What does discipleship look like to you?  For me, it’s about relationships and building up others with the truth of scripture.  But, I cannot pass along those truths unless I know exactly what that person needs in order to give the right words.  Think of it this way: You go to a doctor because you are not feeling well and instead of him taking the time to listen to you he asks a few general questions, makes a reasonable diagnosis based on your answers, and then gives you a medicine that is common to all.  He doesn’t ask if you are allergic to it.  If you are, tough!  You are in a minority and need to go elsewhere because the group approach is treating many others who are less concerned than you.  Is this what you want in medical care?  Than why would you settle for less in spiritual care?  Many do and don’t even know it because their needs haven’t been diagnosed properly and they are thrust into church life without having shared their struggles, needs, questions, and wonders.

My greatest joy as a pastor is spending time with my families, my elderly folks, my young newlyweds, and my kids.  When I can see a life changed for the better by the healing balm of Christ, I know that we’re doing the right things.  It’s a little messier this way.  It’s not always as easy as a program, but it’s the only way I see that Jesus ministered to others.  He not only did this but trained others to do so.  That’s our task!  To multiply discipleship amongst the gifts of our diverse congregation to make them disciples and teach them to do the same with others.

Let the journey begin!

I’ve been asked to write a piece for a nationally published magazine on the subject of discipleship and more importantly, what that looks like in my ministry context here in Denver. What follows will be my research into this idea and as always, your input through comments is welcome.

Discipleship is a complex or simple term depending on who you ask. Some have the perception that it is merely teaching others about Jesus. Others feel that a 12 step program with resultant manuals for classes is necessary. Still others take folks around a baseball diamond which eventually leads them home and, rhetorically, to completion in their initial journey. For all of these methods, there are many others too numerous to name. All have the goal of helping someone achieve a stronger bond with Jesus. At least, most of them do.

For me, discipleship is what the dictionary says it is: “One who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another” or “A convinced adherent of a school or individual”. Of course, for our purposes that person is Jesus. As his disciple, I accept his teaching and have taken on the responsibility of spreading that teaching to others. What that looks like to others is the subject of many books, programs, and seminars.

There is so much that could be written on this topic. For the purposes of publication, I will condense as best I can. For here, I can write a bit more and explore my thoughts even as I express them. As a pastor, this subject is always at the front of my mind. As a church planter, discipleship is crucial if the fledgling church is to have any lasting effect in the community it serves. How do we reach people? Once reached, how do we disciple them? How do we bring back injured sheep who’ve made horrible mistakes? All are questions I’ve asked recently even before I was asked to write.

I do want to explore this further on Wednesday and perhaps even next Monday. We’ll see. For now, it’s enough for me to say this. I’m convinced discipleship is more about the time I spend with someone modeling the life of Christ as best I can rather than the amount of information I try to cram into their head. That’s not to say doctrine isn’t important. It most certainly is. The key for me is to train others to be disciples. It sounds so simple but really, why can’t we do it more successfully then? That is where my thoughts take me as I consider this further. I’ll have more on Wednesday.

Last week, I wrote about the need to have our church connect more with the 20-something generation. In doing so, I acknowledged that the problem of churches connecting with this age group lies not only with the church itself but also with the priorities of the 20-something generation. This group is largely new to their freedoms as more and more adults wait to move out of their parents’ homes into places of their own. Once out, the routine they were so used to is no longer there and priorities change. Staying up late, seeing no real reason to spend any weekend time in a church, and lack of ministry ownership are just a few of the many responses that are given by this age group when asked about their lack of participation in churches today.So what should we do? Many churches are just now beginning to take notice as their longtime members pass away. In a recent article in “One” magazine (The official magazine for the Free Will Baptist denomination), author Richard Atwood lamented this problem when he said: “Many congregations today are filled with older people, and a lot of pastors are conducting a great number of funerals.” You can read the entire article here. I would concur with his thoughts and appeciated the comments his daughter added at the very end. The problem is clear but the answer is still one that will be debated by countless others. The issue I have with this predicament is that as we discuss and consider ideas the generation gets older and further removed from the church. We must take action and do it quickly if we are to see another generation of people discipled and ready to serve in our churches.

The have never know television without the option of a VCR (now DVR) to record their favorite shows and basic cable was always on. Nickelodeon, MTV, and the Cartoon Network were always available. In my generation, I had to share a black and white TV set with my older sister and our choices were rationed since the local independent station aired the cartoons, Gilligan’s Island, and the Monkees reruns all in one place.

Cellphones and the internet have been common with them since they were old enough to care. When I was in high school, my friends and I used to joke about the very few people we knew who had “Car Phones” (Remember the big bricks those things used to be?). Now, not only can you make a call but you can text, surf the net, and play video games on a device that fits in your pocket. Computers are common too. My high school graduation gift was a Commodore 64 computer. I remember in my early 20’s thinking I had hit the jackpot when I finally added a modem to it so I could access bulletin boards! (For you younger folks, this was the precursor to the internet!) I remember monitoring my phone usage when calling the BBS’s (as they were called) since the best ones were always long distance calls. Now, I surf the internet for free in my local coffee shop (I am writing this over a cup).

None of them remember the Reagan years in our country and formed their opinions about politics growing up in the Clinton era. This is a biggie. The hate speech from both sides of the aisles (and there was plenty) led them to form a different worldview about politics than I did.

As for church, they grew up during the Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Bakker scandals. Their parents were likely sickened by the transgressions of these well known televangelists and the child abuse of many young boys by Catholic priests and their thoughts about church leaders (of which I am one) were formed with much less trust than I was raised with. When I shook a preacher’s (or priest’s) hand, I felt I was shaking the hand of someone who could be trusted and who was to be respected greatly. If I didn’t, I’d find myself in the crying room getting a whipping if I didn’t stay quiet during the service.

One other thought and this is purely my own but I also see many in this generation who grew up with the megachurch and the decadence of such ministries soured many on where their money and time would be spent. I have nothing against the megachurch but many in this generation I talk to ask me about why such elaborate buildings are needed. Why do we need all of the stuff that makes up a church? Some things are certanly necessary but it can be argued that others are about satisfying someone within the church who has an itch for a certain ministry. I’ve been questioned about how the money is spent and if it really goes to those who need salvation and true life change.

There is no simple answer but as I ponder my thoughts about outreach in general I know this much to be true: People need the Lord in their lives today. It’s true of the 20-somethings just as it is true of my own generation. Finding ways to connect by involving and allowing this group to grow and take leadership (and be willing to let them make mistakes) will be paramount as we move forward. If we continue to stifle their own growth and not allow any change in our ministries to take place as this group makes suggestions, we will continue to lose them. We do not have to compromise to be successful here. We merely need to be willing to grow in our own spiritual life and leave the comfort of our own little ministry circle to reach out to someone in this group and invite them to church. Will you be that one? I hope so.

I’m 41 (as of this writing). I feel young and enjoy spending time with folks both older and younger than myself. However, as I talk to pastors and even survey my own congregation, I’m seeing a generation of people nearly removed from the church. The 20-somethings. More and more, I’m hearing that churches are seeing their lower demographic age rise to the early 30’s. Very few folks in their 20’s are connecting with the church. It’s probably a bit better in more rural family type areas but in Denver, where I’m located, the disconnect of this age group is alarming many pastors.

Now to be fair, each age group has issues and problems. The 20-somethings tend to plagued with the combination of new freedoms (they are no longer teens under parental guidance), a host of things to do, and staying out and up late on Saturday nights (even my friends who host Saturday evening churches say they are not coming there either preferring to stay out at night spots).

I realize others will state problems with other age groups but that’s merely finger pointing and does not address the issue. This week, a friend and fellow blogger, Jacob Riggs, wrote a two part series on this very subject that made me think long and hard about how I can increase our church’s outreach to this group. You’ll find part one here, and part two here.

One thing I appreciate about Jacob’s thoughts is that he is doing something about this. Jacob works for Randall House, a publication company that produces small group materials (or Sunday School curriculum if that is your preference) and is developing a resource for churches to use called “The Brink”. I plan on using “The Brink” when it becomes available later this year as part of our church’s outreach and discipleship plan.

I think Jacob’s on to something. I like his thoughts on his generation being more open to taking ownership of the church ministry and to challenge older folks to welcome and accept their thoughtful input. Ministry is challenging no matter the age. We owe it to ourselves to do all we can to reach all of humanity, not just our own age group.

I’ll have more to say on this next week.

Last night I spoke at length with a friend of mine who was planting a church in the same area I am in. “John” and I became good friends over the years. He started his church a year before Becky and I moved here. He had his share of struggles and his church experienced many of the same ups and downs that mine has.

John’s church closed a month ago.

Last night we talked about the hurt that led to the closure. A person in John’s church undermined his leadership by stirring up trouble with other families in the church. It appears this person felt his ministry was on par with that of the entire church and the plan was to eventually force John and his wife out and take over the church. What a horrible wreck Satan can make of things. This was not the only time this had happened. Shortly before the fall season last year, John and I met to enjoy some coffee and pray and he had informed me that several families had left the church over some other issues. This seems to happen a lot as more and more people refuse to yield to the admonition of scripture and obey. Instead, they find things to nitpick and then leave. In John’s case, he and his wife prayed long and hard and decided it was too much to start over. They gifted their location to another church and it’s pastor and have moved on. In a related note, the person who started all the trouble to begin with felt “betrayed” that the church would do such a thing and left. Apparently, the scripture about pride going before the fall never made it in his devotional notes.

Church planting is difficult. In the past year alone, several church plants in my area have either closed or are going through leadership changes due to the stress and pressure to establish a new work. The rough economy has made this tougher as people withhold their tithes and some refuse to drive to church because of high gas prices. We can preach the words of the bible but none of us have the power to force anyone to do anything. That’s where God says he’ll do the work. I take great comfort in that.

John needs prayer. His wife too. She is taking it harder than him. You don’t invest nearly a decade of your life in something only to watch it die. John really tried. His heart was right. His mission true. Satan is at work in our world to destroy the work of the kingdom. We must never forget that. Yes God is more powerful but he calls us to prepare ourselves for the battle and we had best be getting ready and always growing in our walk with Christ.

I know you don’t know John but if you would, remember him and his family in your prayers this week.

Well, it’s almost Tuesday in my neck of the woods. I’m really late getting my Monday post together. I try to stay on schedule when writing but today just got away from me. I actually took a day off for a change and focused on getting some things done. My mother in law flew in from St. Louis to spend a few days with us. We went to lunch, I washed cars, washed off the patio furniture, did some lawn work, ran some honey do errands, and then took out the trash. I’m beat!

Along the way, some church folks checked in. It was nice hearing some good things from them. Yesterday, we had an awesome time of worship and then last night, we decided to meet in the local city park for a dinner and time of relaxation. One of our families brought a fryer and made hot wings! Others brought chicken, potato salad, killer salsa, beans, fruit, you name it! What a great time for friends to gather.

I was taking one of our elderly ladies back to her car in a wheelchair as the night drew to a close and as we neared her car, she stated: “This is what a church is all about! What a wonderful, wonderful evening.” Others hugged me as they left. Still others stayed late as our kids played. My wife and I were the last ones out. She and the ladies planned this. It was nothing I had done to pull this off other than to bring food. I came home, sat outside on my porch, and began to pray. God has shown me the greatest of blessings in the smallest of things. At it’s very heart, community is what the church is all about. People getting together to share life. People who’s hearts are being changed by the very real presence of the Holy Spirit. LIFE CHANGE. For some of these folks, gatherings like this were unimaginable a few years ago. Now, they look forward to each time we gather. Some are having financial troubles, others are having relationship problems, still others are watching to see if we really mean it when we say we care for and love one another. They are looking for authenticity. It’s something not every church has. It can be faked, but when it’s real, you know it. We’re not the biggest church. We don’t have the best kids ministry. We do not have a full praise band (yet), and we’re not overflowing with riches (at least the financial kind). What we do have is love. Care for one another. It’s real and I can’t imagine being anywhere but here.

I’m a blessed man!

My most recent reading has been the “Life of Robert Murray M’Cheyne” by Andrew Bonar. This nearly 200 year old writing chronicles the life of one of my favorite preachers. M’Cheyne was a Scottish born minister who died weeks before his 30th birthday. I’m not quite done with the book yet so a review will come later. What I’m most interested in today was M’Cheyne’s deep concern for life change. One of the reasons I enjoy M’Cheyne’s teachings was his emphasis on living a life that honored God. M’Cheyne took time to create a bible reading plan that’s still in use today. If you want a copy, simply Google it. There’s any number of copies of it available in many different sizes.

M’Cheyne’s concern for holiness in his life struck a chord with me. I always strive to better myself in this area. As a pastor, I don’t think we can ever feel that we’ve “arrived”. As I read many different church planting blogs, I read about exciting outreaches, preparing for additional worship times, volunteers “knocking it out of the park”, the successes of video series like the “One Prayer” series, and the mundane, day-to-day stuff that makes up life. What I don’t read much about is how each of these church planters are being touched in their quiet times, if they have one at all. I’m not talking about lip-service quiet times where we stop at Starbucks, read our bible, look out the window pensively and then take off to the next thing. I’m talking about a devoted time of communion with the Lord of our lives and the master of our fate, both personally and professionally. I realize that any success I have as a planter comes not from my own creative genius but from the blessing of God who can take it all away in a heartbeat.

To the pastors who read this I ask: “What steps are you taking to improve in this area?” As we plan our days, fill out our day-planners, and monitor our task lists using the latest productivity fad, are we including in this time for personal renewal and life change? If not, how can we expect to see lives changes in our churches? Am I doing all I can, including improving myself, to help others see changes in their lives and their service to the Lord increase?

It’s something to think about.

No, that’s not a typo in the headline. I just wanted to add that I was surprised and honored to see Michael Quicke mention this blog in his post about “Video Sermons”. I had asked him for some input on the issue since his books have helped me a great deal in my preaching and ministry here.

Since launching this new site for my writing, the posts about “Video in Church” and “The Death of local Preaching” have generated the most views, pings, and comments. To be honest, I was surprised at how passionate many were about this topic. I thought Quicke’s response to the issue was spot on and thoughtful. Thanks for dropping by Michael!