Buildings, Budgets & Baptisms. If I was to look out across the Evangelical landscape, there are a number of ministry problems I see that concern me, but one of the greatest is our practice of measuring success by examining Buildings, Budgets & Baptisms. Paul seemed to point us in the right direction in Colossians 1:28-29 when he told us that we should endeavor to “present every man perfect in Christ”. So, if that’s an example of a biblical success barometer, how come weseldom see that used? I’d like to try and posit a few possible answers.

1. Disciple making is too difficult to quantify. Let’s be honest, it is not that easy to identify an authentic disciple. We have all known people who appeared to be walking with Christ and who, at some point down the road, fall off the wagon and walk away from their supposed faith. So who is to say that what we view as a disciple is not really another failed follower ready to bolt? Beyond that, disciple-making does not feature an easily recognized “experience” that can be recorded and bragged about at denominational meetings and conferences. No, we would much rather deal with something easy to fit into a cute little spreadsheet. Besides, if you ever really try to measure your effectiveness at making disciples you are liable to get ripped apart. Just ask Bill Hybels.

1. The three “B’s” are much more controllable than making disciples. Now, one could argue that you cannot really control baptisms, but any of us who has any oratorical skill at all knows how easy it is to pull on the emotions and create decisions which lead to baptisms. No, the truth is we like the three “B’s” because we can have a lot of say in whether they happen or not. They are controllable, and we like things we can control.

1. Disciplemaking takes too much time. If we are truthful about it, we like quick results. In our microwave culture, we are not inclined to invest the time necessary to really make disciples. Unfortunately Christ’s pattern is one of significant time investment. Making disciples may have fit Christ’s modus operandi, but we would prefer something that we can make happen a bit faster.

So, what should we do? Should we give up on the three “B’s”? I would argue, no. In fact, I lead a church that is almost rabid as we attempt to measure the three “B’s” as well as a plethora of other characteristics about our church. No, I do not think we need to avoid those areas. I do think, however, that we need to be honest and recognize that those areas, while important, are not necessarily the best barometers of success. Instead we need to refocus on fostering authentic disciples. We need to prize those that grow in their relationship with Christ. We need to trumpet, from the pulpit, the value of discipleship and all that it entails.

My church likes to say that our purpose for existing is, “Helping those who are disconnected from God, to become committed followers of Jesus Christ.” It is probably time that churches start trying to measure our ability to complete that purpose rather than simply offering a bank statement, an architect’s bill or a denominational report card as a symbol of our success.

Micah Fries is the Senior Pastor of Frederick Boulevard Baptist Church in St. Joseph, Missouri. Micah has served as a Youth Pastor, International Missionary and Senior Pastor for 10 years. Micah is married to Tracy and they have two daughters, Sarah Grace and Kessed Noel. Micah and Clint have known each other since their days in college together at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville, Florida.  You can read more of Micah’s writings at micahfries.com. 

Hello, my name is Amanda Long.  my nuclear family consists of my amazingly good-looking and godly husband, Tim; my son, Isaac, and a daughter in utero, yet to be named.  I have known OF Clint for about a decade, but met the legend at a wedding about 4 years ago.  I serve as the worship leader at Pillar.

I recall a conversation with Clint where it was revealed that most of his conversations are, in one way or another, iterations of conversations he’s had previously.  So, every once in a while, I think to try and throw him a seemingly original thought.  The most recent attempt is posted below, to which he had no response:

According to God, I wonder what percentage of our theology is correct at any given time?

I then thought to substitute the word “correct” with “complete”.  Comments welcome.

Grace and peace to you.

Amanda

I was a little surprised when I got the invitation to be a guest on Clint’s blog. Don’t get me wrong, Clint and I go way back…in fact you might say that I put the dirty in, “Dirty clint”. We have a pretty elaborate history together but were not exactly on the best of terms for the past few years.

Clint would tell you that I’m not really one to play by the rules so in like fashion I’m going to answer more than one of his questions.

1. What are your three main concerns with the current methodology of church ministry and or church planting? I really don’t have any concerns with the current methodology of church ministry. I think that can drives, committee meetings and “improve your life” sermons are the very thing the church needs more of. The church planting thing does bother me a bit. Why are we planting all those churches anyway, don’t we have enough? The way I see it is most of the church buildings we have are empty! Why on earth would we start a new church in a school when just down the street there is an old one virtually empty? The new churches seem to be overly concerned about irreligious people and not concerned enough with politics, denominationalism, and maintaining the current ministries and methods that our spiritual forefathers laid out for us.
2. What is the primary purpose of the Sunday worship service? Is it for believers or more for the seeker? Sunday morning is for people… Therefore we should do and say only what makes people happy. It’s church for goodness sake if you can’t leave there smiling where can you?  
3. What is your favorite experience with Clint? I’d love to tell you about my favorite experience with Clint but it would likely cause you to stop reading his blog so I’ll stick to the other questions.
4. What is your opinion about church’s that use signs such as “God Answers Knee Mail” or “Sign Broke… Message Inside”?  This is one of the most effective ministries I have ever seen! Secular people who see those signs are really drawn in to the heart of God. I mean imagine it you are a sinner who has just committed adultery… Your driving home, you know it was wrong and you are wrestling with your decision… Just then you see it, “Are you hot? Church is Prayer-Conditioned” – Man what a blessing.
5. What do you think about pastor Ed Young Jr’s seven day sex challenge? I like it… I think thousands of marriages will be saved. 
   

Almost every church has a church sign in which all manner of information is
shared to the masses, Awana Starts at 6:00 PM, Christmas Concert Tonight, or
Special Easter Service. Stafford Baptist Church has a church sign that is
prominently displayed along Jefferson Davis Highway.  During a recent Deacon
‘s Meeting I volunteered to take over the church sign responsibilities if
(and only if) I could have full creative license, I was denied the
opportunity.  Well I guess it is a good thing I was rejected as church sign
creator because I would have some great ones up for thousands of drivers to
read daily.  A quick Google search produced a plethora amusing church sign
quotes.

·  Free Trip to heaven. Details Inside!
·  Try our Sundays. They are better than Baskin-Robbins.
·  Searching for a new look? Have your faith lifted here!
·  Have trouble sleeping? We have sermons – come hear one!
·  Forbidden fruit creates many jams.
·  God so loved the world that He did not send a committee.
·  Come in and pray today. Beat the Christmas rush!
·  When down in the mouth, remember Jonah. He came out all right.
·  Sign broken. Message inside this Sunday.
·  Fight truth decay – study the Bible daily.
·  Dusty Bibles lead to Dirty Lives:
·  If you’re headed in the wrong direction, God allows U-turns.
·  It is unlikely there’ll be a reduction in the wages of sin.
·  Do not wait for the hearse to take you to church.
·  If you don’t like the way you were born, try being born again.
·  This is a ch_ _ ch. What is missing? ——— (U R)

So why does a church need a church sign with a witty saying?  I guess the
real question should be why not a witty saying on a church sign?  Most
churches have signs and our founding fathers created the 1st Amendment to
the Constitution, why not use them both together.  I don’t think anyone had
a conversion experience after reading a thought provoking sign.  I think
these signs show a lighter side of Christianity, a side that doesn’t get
the most attention.  When you think Christian you normally don’t think of a
guy that has a great sense of humor.  You usually think of the very serious
and judgmental guy, like Sam the Eagle on the Muppets.  So enjoy the witty
church sign, you know you read them and smile.  If I were given the job as
church sign creator I would have the following sign on display.

My name is Brian Metz and if you want to read the very much in need of updating blog of mine, you may find it at “Theophilus“.  As much as I desired to write about some of the issues that Clint had proposed for us, I could not pass up an opportunity to write about the man himself.

Kimberly and I began our courtship and eventual marriage in the same governmental brick apartments as the beloved Clifton clan. While Kimberly has had many “fun” Clint experiences, such as getting in trouble with his bride, Jennifer, for playing in the mud during a Panhandle afternoon rain, there were times when we had shared Clint experiences in their apartment as we watched Survivor and CSI, while eating off of the “Special Day” plate.  An experience that I would not qualify as my favorite Clint experience was when he decided to hold down our little Festiva’s horn on the drive from Dothan to Graceville. Yeah thirty-four minutes of “beep”! Clint has always been pushing buttons with me; however it has always been in good ways. Clint has challenged me  to follow hard after Jesus, ever since I met him. He is responsible for introducing me to John Piper (thank you, Clint). He planted big dreams in my head and always called me to go past what I thought I could accomplish (one day there will be a silver camper and “Homegrown” events).

My favorite experience with Clint however was when he set up and filmed our engagement. He had told me how he had proposed to Jennifer and how it was such a coordinated effort with his friends. He and I cooked up a way to surprise Kimberly on her birthday. He would set up our dinner in the park we were planning to be our wedding spot (we knew we were getting married before we were engaged). Clint rendezvoused with our friends Neil and Tim. They were to set up the dinner on the boardwalk over-looking the Bay in Panama City and secretly capture every moment on film . There was a snag however! There was a wedding taking place on the same spot. Kimberly and I were to walk down the boardwalk and happen upon the meal.  They moved the location and I needed to bide time. We could not communicate with each other (no iphones then). It was getting late.  So, when we walked in the park and we noticed the table but Kimberly thought it was for the wedding party. I insisted that we investigate. He had set it up perfectly with a note with her name and candles. She was surprised and wondered how I pulled it off. Little did she know Dirty Clint was in the bushes filming our every move. During the dinner he had a lady carry his camera (with it on and recording) to pay us a visit, and a salty man on a bike delivered a birthday gift for her.

Clint and Neil disguised themselves so that they could make it to his car and get to her parents house (Neil had long hair at the time so he played the girl). After we had arrived at her parents with the news of our engagement and for more birthday surprises, Clint showed up with the film of the whole engagement evening! From the ordering of food (his and ours) to the long wait because of the wedding location, to the asking of accomplices to deliver the camera and the gift, to the bending of the knee and the long winded-ness of the proposing preacher, he delivered the most surprising video that we have ever witnessed. Kimberly was all smiles and we cherish the memories of having Clint film Neil, Tim and himself on the ground in the ant-infested bushes. Clint goes all out in everything that he does and for that experience he went above and beyond for us.

My name is Colby Garman and you can read my multi-purpose blog over at
getagarman.blogspot.com. I watched some footage this past week of some of
the media attention that Fellowship Church received for their 7 day sex
challenge and thought I would try to work out some of my inner reasons for
never wanting to do anything like this. Some of them may be noble and some
of them may be ignoble, but I’ll let you decide whether any of my reasons
are informed by Biblical principle or not..

1. In our culture where sex is often worshipped and at the very least it is
exalted to a higher place than it deserves in the overall importance of love
and marriage I would fear the possibility of sending the wrong message to my
congregation about its exalted importance. Don’t get me wrong sex is a good
thing ordained by God, but it is not nearly as important as our culture
would have us think.

2. I would be concerned about unduly marginalizing the widows/widowers,
disabled, single, and divorced believers in my congregation with a challenge
for our church that they can not participate in.

3. I would be concerned that my motivations for such a challenge may be more
rooted in adapting to our sex-addicted culture, rather than simply
addressing the Bible’s teaching on sexuality.

4. I would be concerned about advertising such a challenge to the general
public as a motivation for joining us for the series.

I am certainly not opposed to addressing sexuality and how it is addressed
in scripture. It is entirely appropriate and we should not shrink away from
teaching on anything that scripture addresses. The question that I think we
need to keep before is in the how of addressing issues of sexuality in the
body. As I said earlier, our culture trivializes the sacred beauty of God’s
gift of sexuality and I think we need to be careful to address it in a
manner that restores it as a sacred part of the marriage covenant. I think
that a seven day sex challenge runs the danger of failing to accomplish this
goal.