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An Honest Look Ahead:
New Directions for the New Year

And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we (first) believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. (Romans 13:11-12)

Future historians may look back on the opening years of the twenty-first century as an era of unprecedented evangelical impact.

Perhaps.

But unless we create a ministry of method as well as message, we flirt with two dangers: delivering the pure milk in contaminated bottles, or not delivering any milk at all.

Not too long ago there was a time when true ministry, in the words of James Denney was, “the disinterested interest of the comparative few.”

That was then. This is now.

Today there is a rising responsiveness in the church to the multiple challenges of true ministry. The church, therefore, ought to give its best creative thinking and support to not only the multiple challenges but also the multiple opportunities, responsibilities, and priorities (including financial priorities) of true ministry in the twenty-first century.

I. ACKNOWLEDGING THE EVANGELISTIC GIFT

While the noun “evangelist” occurs only three times in the New Testament, the verb “euaggelizomai” occurs over fifty times. Jesus Christ, Paul, and other disciples all were evangelists. And so were Philip, the deacon, and Timothy, the settled young pastor.

The Apostle Paul gives a comprehensive treatment of this evangelistic gift in Ephesians 4:7-13:

“...When Christ ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
. . . And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some evangelists; and some pastors and teachers.” (vv. 8,11)

No less authority than the Word of God teaches that there is such an anointing as the evangelistic gift.

Alongside the evangelistic gift is the evangelistic ministry, message and method.

Today, those who are gifted and anointed with the “evangelistic gift” are not resisted; they are ignored. They are treated with a shabby and dismissive disregard. Gimmickry and substitutions have never, can never, and will never supplant those with the true evangelistic gift.

Paul exhorted Timothy, the settled young pastor to “... do the work of an evangelist ...” (II Timothy 4:5). Only by following this injunction, could Pastor Timothy make “full proof” of his ministry. The implications are clear. Evangelism is not exclusively the work of a few specialists during special times and seasons, but evangelism is, or at least should be, the ongoing work of the church as a lifestyle.

As we consider true gifts from God in the twenty-first century, we should not only acknowledge the evangelistic gift resident in certain of our lives, we should also cultivate an awareness of ministry trends.

II. AWARENESS OF MINISTRY TRENDS

Trends are only barometers of certain directions in which movement is underway. But there are specific trends which represent unique challenges to our success in true ministry in the twenty-first century.

Ten Trends Facing the Church

Trend #1) More Religion: Less Impact

Unless the church, and we as individual Christians and leaders, make a redemptive impact upon the world of sin, we have failed in our evangelistic mandate. Mere self-improvement messages prepared and preached to a self-absorbed pop-culture, will never satisfy the true longings of the soul.

Trend #2) A Growing “Me-ism,” Consumerism and Materialism

Today’s self-absorbed churchgoer sees God as the dispenser (and witholder) of life’s prizes; a kind-of television game-show host, a glorified Santa Claus. The sometimes frenzied passion with which some churches pursue the prizes, results in a congregation of “consumers” rather than Christians. They are offered cheap grace and “Jesus Lite”. Too many “preacherettes” are preaching too many “sermonettes” to too many “Christianettes”. To them, “divine favor” equates itself with blessings bestowed through a posh lifestyle perpetually enjoyed; all of which defines down the true meaning of biblical Christianity.

Trend #3) The Disruptions of Frequent and Ongoing Financial Volatility

This trend does not necessarily portend more insecurity, but it does call for better stewardship at every level. For most churches and ministries, the days of unlimited spending are gone. Sowing seed is preferable to scattering seed. Global greed, and extreme economic volatility will increase. It will, however, become more and more clear that God is our only source. The churches and ministries who not only survive, but thrive in the 21st century, are those who learn the wonderful truth of God’s Word:

My God shall supply all your need, according to His riches in glory, by Christ Jesus, the Lord. (Philippians 4:19)

Trend #4) Rising Expectations Among the Poor

The ongoing problems of hunger and poverty provide an opportunity for the benevolence of local churches and Christians to help feed the hungry and hurting. Hands that are raised in worship should also be extended in love and compassion.

Trend #5) The Graying of the Church

Ministering to the elderly when they are a minority is vastly different than ministering to them as an emerging majority. The church is woefully lacking in any workable long-term strategy at reaching this burgeoning population group.

Trend #6) The Coloring of the Church

The changes taking place along racial and ethnic lines need not be tragic if the leaders of the church take the lead in focusing upon the promise of ministry over the problems that seem to forbid it.

Trend #7) Shifting Denominational Power

In China, one of the final bastions of centralized communist power, there is a modern proverb which says “The mountains are high and the emperor is far away.” A diminished influence will be experienced by those denominations and leaders who do not continually earn the right to be heard. Unless the General and State church become a relevant resource to help the local church achieve its goals in ministry, it will inevitably suffer from immobility, inflexibility, and inconsequentiality.

Trend #8) Pluralism Gone to Seed

Polarization reflects our problems with the authority of the Word. Bibliolatry is not the problem so much as idolizing our interpretations, from left to right. Our factional mentality makes it difficult for the thinking non-Christian to identify with any brand of Christianity.

Trend #9) An Ongoing Blurring of the Lines Between Right and Wrong

Today, tolerance is king. Nothing is forbidden anymore, it seems. Permissiveness is chic. Broadmindedness has become the chief virtue. All the starch has gone out of our character. What we thought would be temporary moral numbness has grown into a large dead spot inside us. Somewhere along the road to broadmindedness, permissiveness, and political correctness the last remains of innocence got stomped to death.

Trend #10) A Search for Spiritual Reality and Intimacy

This trend provides an open door for the gospel as presented in all its power. And, the search for spiritual reality and intimacy transcends age, gender, ethnicity, and religious background.

Every generation faces its own set of challenges unique only to them.

The early church faced the triple threat of Roman power, Greek culture, and Jewish tradition; while today’s church faces secularism, materialism, and skepticism.

True ministry in the twenty-first century calls not only for an acknowledgement of the evangelistic gift in certain of our lives, and the awareness of the trends facing our work for the Lord, but it also calls for us to exercise the ability of ministering to the people of our generation.

III. ABILITY TO MINISTER TO THE PEOPLE OF OUR GENERATION

First-century leaders were armed with the ability to lead with a holy boldness.

For example, the Apostle Paul’s leadership style is profiled for us in Acts 20:18-36 as follows:

Acts 20:
v. 18 His manner of life
v. 19 Compassionate service
v. 20 Uncompromising teaching
v. 21 Bold evangelism
vv. 22-23 Holy Ghost leadership
v. 24 Unflinching courage
v. 25 Unbroken fellowship
vv. 26-27 An audacious claim
vv. 28-31 Unceasing warning
v. 32 Releasing saints for their ministry
vv. 33-34 Pure motivation
v. 35 Sacrificial giving
v. 36 Prayer (Union, Communion, Dominion)

It takes John 3:16 to change the world and I John 3:16 to change us.

It is only when the world sees us laying down our lives for each other that they can be convinced that we have anything different (agape’) than what they have.

And, to be successful in ministering (serving, see Acts 13:36) we must activate biblical principles for overcoming hindrances to growth, personally and corporately.

IV. ACTIVATE BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES FOR OVERCOMING HINDRANCES TO GROWTH, PERSONALLY AND CORPORATELY

A. Mental Barriers

1. Inability to believe that God will use US
2. Traditionalism
3. Lack of vision
4. Exclusivity
5. Unaccepting of others
6. Self-satisfaction
7. Rose-colored rear-view mirror
8. No measurable goals
9. Turf wars
10. Accepting medocrity as the norm

B. Organizational Barriers

1. Forcing pastors into unscriptural roles
2. Ignoring evangelists at every level
3. Disregarding those with the evangelistic gift
4. Self-absorption
5. Misplaced priorities
6. No grand vision for the future
7. Keeping intact outmoded and archaic structural systems
8. Failure to reward biblical virtues (fruit-bearing, achievement)
9. Perpetuating non-productive programs
10. Perpetuating politics – perpetually

C. Physical Barriers

1. Appearance of buildings and grounds
2. Capacity of buildings (the chickens die out to the size of the coop)
3. Capacity of parking
4. Location of church property
5. Size of community

D. Spiritual Barriers

1. Spiritual insensitivity, insincerity, or indifference
2. Spiritual disease, senility, or death
3. Inadequate spiritual base
4. Lack of prayer and faith that sees the circumstances as too difficult
5. Attempting to do it all ourselves or expecting God to do it all Himself

True ministry in the twenty-first century calls for an acknowledgement of the evangelistic gift, the awareness of the trends facing our work for the Lord, the exercise of the ability of ministering to the people of our generation, and the activation of biblical principles of overcoming hindrances to growth, both personal and corporate.

Finally, true ministry in the twenty-first century calls for immediately
affirming, enabling and releasing those with the evangelistic gift.

V. AFFIRMING, ENABLING AND RELEASING THOSE WITH THE EVANGELISTIC GIFT

Affirmation means more than speaking an encouraging word, or giving someone a pat-on-the-back with an occasional “attaboy!” Affirmation means much more.

That word “affirmation” speaks of asserting strongly; stating as a fact; of making a formal declaration; of confirmation and ratification.

This principle of affirming, enabling and releasing those with the evangelistic gift calls for a thoughtful and immediate system-wide upgrade in the way we do ministry throughout the church. If we are to succeed in the twenty-first century with any assurance of success, dramatic upgrades must be made in the following areas:

1) Our Priorities

Definition: “preference, primacy, urgency, predominance, preeminence, rank, right, seniority, importance, having prior claim to consideration.”

2) Our Procedures

Definition: “way of doing business, of proceeding, a mode of performing a task, conduct, course of action, process, methodology, system, approach, strategy, a plan.”

3) Our Presentations

Definition: “the process of presenting something or someone; the manner and quality of presenting for the purpose of being seen in the best possible light, or enhancing its perception, of helping make it desirable; a formal introduction of someone or something for the purpose of motivating further interest or personal participation.”

4) Our Proclamations

Definition: “announcement, heralding, publication, declaration, promulgation, notification.”

It is God, not us, who has chosen that through "the foolishness of preaching" many will turn to righteousness.

SUMMARY:

From now through the foreseeable future, we will continue in a time of unprecedented transition; a changing of the guard, an interim period, a time of spiritual passages.

The book of Joshua was written about a critically important transition in Israel’s history, not because of the dramatic change of the calendar, but because of the dramatic change in leadership. Its blunt message is also a powerful commentary:

Moses is dead. Now then, you and all these people get ready. (Joshua 1:2)

When we see the end of an era, it is our human inclination to either rest on our proverbial laurels and talk about the bygone days, or what’s worse, complain that the day of New Testament evangelism is over – forever.

But to me, what God seems to be saying to Joshua in this scripture is this:

“If you think what I did in the past was miraculous, get ready!
Tomorrow will be greater than yesterday! Your best days are yet ahead!”

A new wind is blowing spiritually throughout the world. It is, however, going to continue to intensify only in the lives of those who are paying the price for the experience of revival-evangelism as a lifestyle.

We can move into more effective twenty-first century ministry with faith and not with fear.

It is true.

The best days can be ahead of us and not behind us.

Basically, the choice is ours to make.

Feedback

Carl, I appreciate so very much your writings. What a great gift you are to the Body of Christ. I will be your friend FOREVER.

Rev. W.C. Ratchford, Sr.
Weatherford, Texas

You are absolutely right about the church, in general, ignoring and treating with disregard those who have what you identify as “the evangelistic gift.” As a businessman I would like for all of us to know that that includes ministers and laymen alike. But in any case, the scripture promises that “they shall shine as the brightness of the firmament.”

J.B. Glover
Seattle, Washington

Brother Carl, you have so eloquently put into words the current frustrations and disappointment with the Body of Christ and “church as usual.” In the last year, my grief over the lack of true worship and devotion of believers has escalated to the point that I cry out in prayer, “Heavenly Father, forgive us of our idolatry and lukewarmness. Please remove the spiritual blinders from our eyes!” I love the Body of Christ, but I long to see hearts turn from having a “form of godliness” into hearts that burn with desire for the presence of God and cry out “Maranatha!” How else will we be the disciples of Christ unless we first believe! Thank you for the continued encouragement. With the Father’s patience towards us, our best days are ahead and I want to be in the middle of whatever God wants to accomplish.

Name Witheld by Request

Excellent material, Carl. Thanks for sharing it. It is a new day in church work. Like a statement by an old church member, “Preacher, the church changed and nobody told.” Now it is “Carl told us and I hope church leaders and pastors are listening.” Peace and Joy!

Dr. Floyd D. Carey
Birmingham, Alabama

Carl, you are still that fine minister and teacher that I remember from days gone by when you preached a powerful revival campaign for us in Nassau, Bahamas when you were a 17 year old evangelist.. And, again I heard you preach at a charismatic church here in Kansas City only a few years ago. This message is powerful and should be proclaimed to all the churches. I want to be a “normal” Christian with the “supernatural” power of the Holy Spirit working on the inside. Thanks for the message. Best wishes for the New Year and please give my regards to Beverly.

Lillian Wolff
Kansas City, Missouri

I hear your “Oasis” radio broadcast almost every day here on our local station in Hartford. But today I missed hearing you and went to your website to catch the broadcast that I didn’t get to hear by radio. While on your website, I saw your blog on “An Honest Look Ahead.” It was just what I needed to read. What a timely and sustentative message!

Dr. Stanley Stewart
Hartford, Connecticut

Wow! What a powerful word for all who are called of God to preach the Word. 2009 will provide each pastor and evangelist many opportunities to be about the “Father’s Business.” Carl, you have provided all of us a wonderful challenge to take an Honest Look Ahead for the New Year. New methods may cross our paths, but the “message” must remain the same. Have a wonderful and blessed New Year!

Rev. Norton Richardson
Mesquite, Texas

Thing is, I don’t WANT to take an honest look ahead. It scares me too bad! Every direction I look is bad – the economy – politics – wars – international terrorism. Yet, I was somehow assured by your blog that some way everything is going to turn out alright in the end. I just need lots of help getting there.

John Michaels
Irvine, California

Carl, thanks for this article. Yes, we must wake up! Just this morning as I went to minister into lock-down at the prison, the handful of women that I talked with have their thinking distorted. “It doesn’t matter what you believe, just as long as you believe in something,” they say. Christianity is mixed with witchcraft and Satan worship. These dear women actually think this is OK. We must get back to the basics of teaching the Word of God. We must get back into the drug-driven neighborhoods and preach Christ. We may need to start bus ministries again for our Sunday Schools and bring the children into our churches to hear the gospel. We need to start mentoring our young people. It is our only salvation. The church has abandoned poverty-infested neighborhoods to the world. Drugs, prostitution (mothers selling their own children’s bodies), and crime have taken over these neighborhoods. God help us to show and tell the Way!

Betty Robbins Standifer
Cleveland, Tennessee

Brother Richardson, this is one of the best articles I have read in a long time. It speaks to the heart of the matter as I see the church in the 21st century. It is as though some in leadership talk revival but they do not really want true revival in the church. God help our church to change this direction.

Pastor Numer Locklear
Lumberton, North Carolina

Sir, if there is anyone who has the evangelistic gift it is you. I am a professional radio announcer and played your radio messages on our station in Columbus, Georgia. I was not a Christian but always was eager to hear you preach and teach because I always felt, in listening to you, that you truly cared about my soul and didn’t want me to be lost eternally. Following one of your evangelistic messages on our radio station I surrendered my heart and life to Jesus. Thank you for exercising your evangelistic gift.

Justin Case
Phoenix, Arizona

Brother Carl, I appreciate your comments always, and especially today’s on New Directions for the New Year.

Pastor Steve Gilbert
Cleveland, Tennessee

Carl, may you have a blest and prosperous 2009!

Pastor Sam Belisle
Roanoke, Virginia

My husband and I are ages 60/63. Although we are in a wonderful church, it sometimes appears that our age holds us back from being used in meaningful ways. Please pray that in this New Year God will open up doors of opportunity for us to impact the Kingdom for eternity – despite our age. We would count it all joy to serve on the mission field as helpers. Especially in China. God is more than able. Remember our hearts’ desire in prayer.

Name Witheld by Request

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