Eeww...you're different than me!

A couple of weeks ago, I spoke with a PCA pastor who expressed his struggle of trying to get his congregation to understand the value of cross cultural ministry to African Americans.  He expressed how some of the church’s members are moving to other parts of their city in search of better schools and housing because of the influx of African Americans.  What is a pastor to do? 

We can all agree that we feel more comfortable with people that look like us and share our common interest, but what are we to do when the very people we are most uncomfortable with enter our neighborhoods?  Simply put, we love them.  We don’t turn them away.  We pursue them like Jesus pursued us. 

Trust me, it is extremely difficult to love someone who makes you uncomfortable.  That’s why we have Jesus.  Mark 8:34-35 says, “When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, ‘Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.  For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.’”  God is calling His people to live a life that is different from those around us.  We as God’s people are called to do the hard things, like love those who make us uncomfortable so that the gospel may be preached and lived out.

Ephesians 2:19-22 says, “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”  God no longer dwells in temples made by men.  We who were once afar off from God have been brought near through Jesus Christ.  Do you see it?  God is calling His people, the church, to invite strangers and foreigners into your life so that they may see God’s Spirit dwelling in you for the purpose of grafting them into the household of faith.  God is building the temple, made without hands, so that those who are afar off, those who are different from you, those who make you uncomfortable, may be brought near. 

What profits a man to gain the world and all it comforts, and lose his very soul, which God’s kingdom is after? God wants souls.  He looks beyond race, gender, disabilities, and cultures.  He wants His people to reflect Him.

And so, to that pastor who is struggling with getting his congregation to do cross cultural ministry, I say remind them of how far off they were, how uncomfortable it was for Christ take on human flesh, and how badly God wants His people to reflect Him.  Yes, cross cultural ministry is hard, but God who is rich in mercy gave us His Son, who gives us the power through His Spirit to do what is hard…in fact God delights in His strength being made perfect in our weaknesses.

What does it mean to be a Reformed Bahamian American? (Part 3)

When I was first introduced to the Reformed faith, I was arrogant.  I admit it.  I laughed at people who didn’t see the Reformed perspective of salvation.  Anyone who believed in free will (meaning we choose God) rather than predestination (God chose us), I would argue with them.  I believed I had seen the light and was one of the “enlightened” ones.  I never said this, of course, but I thought it. 

Reform theology has a way of puffing up people’s minds in a way that makes them think that they are superior to other Christians who do not totally espouse to every doctrine of grace.  Because there is a systematic way of viewing the Bible through covenants, Reform theology may seem very formulaic and therefore be viewed as more right than other theologies that are not consistent all the way through.  What I mean by formulaic is the fact that one can have a blueprint or rule for looking at gospel, salvation, theology, church government, spiritual gifts, and the like.  Now, there is nothing wrong with having a biblical method of searching the scriptures.  The problem arises when we place supreme value upon our own interpretation of scripture over another’s.  Yes, we must tests the spirits and see if what we preach is biblical.  Yet we must also see that we carry our own biases when we look at scripture, whether they are cultural, ethnic, or historical.

The PCA (Presbyterian Church of America) had its origin in Southern states with a dominant white majority.  According the official PCA website(http://www.pcanet.org/general/history.htm), “[the PCA was]Organized at a constitutional assembly in December 1973, this church was first known as the National Presbyterian Church but changed its name in 1974 to Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).  It separated from the Presbyterian Church in the United States (Southern) in opposition to the long-developing theological liberalism which denied the deity of Jesus Christ and the inerrancy and authority of Scripture.  Additionally, the PCA held to the traditional position on the role of women in church offices.”

Before the PCA split from the PCA (USA) because of theological differences, the American Presbyterian church was involved in racism and all of its heinous practices as it relates to ethnic minorities.  Racism was part of the culture of that day, and it directly affected the Southern Presbyterian’s way of life.  Consequently, the PCA sent out a written apology to the General Assembly in 2002 see here: http://www.pcahistory.org/pca/race.html  

Naturally, during the beginning stages of the PCA, it was not multi-ethnic.  The PCA was and still is a predominantly conservative middle to upper class white evangelical denomination (yet there are a rising number of cultures entering the PCA such as Koreans, African-Americans, and Latinos) Why did God call my family from the Bahamas into such a seemingly cultural clash? 

I believe God is calling the church as a whole, whether PCA or not, to think outside the box.  The gospel has been opened to the Gentiles i.e. anyone who is not a Jew.  This is exciting news!  We must not think homogeneity but diversity and variety.  God is calling a people to Himself that represent every tribe, tongue, and nation.  The moment we think we have a patent on the gospel or His Holy Spirit; we miss what God has to offer and lose the fullness of His presence.   No wonder we are seeing a revival in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. 

I am proud to be born in the Bahamas, naturalized as an American citizen, and a member of the Presbyterian Church.  I see things differently.  I see God’s people as not defined to one particular group.  God is not only the God of the Bahamians, Americans, or Presbyterians, but He is also the God of the whole world.  He is far above anything that we can ever think, imagine, or conceive.  He is the I am that I am, the one who is present yesterday, today, and forever.

The first RUF (Reformed University Fellowship) in a HBCU (Historically Black College/University)!

The PCA (Presbyterian Church of America) has long been an Anglo dominated denomination, not until its formation in 1966 did we see African-Americans entering its membership ranks. Now fast forward to 2011, we have seen many strides among African-Americans in the PCA. We see a growing number of Teaching elders and Ruling elders, multi-ethnic churches like Redeemer Church in Jackson, MS, and cross cultural churches like New City Fellowship in Chattanooga, TN. Suffice it to say, RUF seemed to be one of the least affected areas, as far as African-American leadership and involvement. According to RUF’s website (http://www.ruf.org/our-history/), “Reformed University Ministries grew out of the passion of young, Presbyterian ministers in the southeastern United States in the late 1970's. These individuals dreamed of a campus ministry that was both theologically honest and winsomely welcoming.”

Would African-Americans in the PCA make the jump to RUF ministries? Well, I have proof that not only are African-Americans in the PCA making that leap, but they are also taking ownership of RUF within their cultural context. Take for example, Jackson State’s RUF group led by Elbert McGowan. RUF Jackson State was founded in 2007. It is the first RUF on an HBCU (Historically Black College/University). I had the privilege of seeing 120 young people hungry for the preached word of God gathered together in a classroom that seats over 200 people. When I heard the musicians warming up their drums, piano, guitar, and bass, I was ecstatic! I was overjoyed to see the passionate worship, to hear biblically sound preaching and teaching, to feel the vibrations of black gospel music touching my soul. Yes, African Americans have taken ownership of RUF in the capital city of Mississippi, and they are going strong.

I spoke with young men who were headed to reformed seminaries so that they in turn could start other RUF chapters at HBCUs. God is at work in the PCA in a very visible and tangible way among African American youth. He is calling African American youth back to biblically sound preaching and teaching and radicalizing their hearts toward holiness. 

Check out this link for a taste of RUF at Jackson State:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nxyrz3_cnVU&feature=feedwll

What does it mean to be a Reformed Bahamian American? (Part 2)

After searching the scriptures, I struggled to understand the five doctrines of grace, i.e. “five points of Calvinism”, which are as follows: total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints. 

Total depravity states that humans are morally, spiritually, and socially bankrupt, because of Adam’s (the first man created) sin all of his descendants (us) are born in sin with a sinful nature that affects every area of life(Romans 5:12;14;17-19).

Unconditional Election states that God chose some to salvation before the foundations of the world (Ephesians 1:4-6) not based on any merit or status or special privilege (Romans 9:15-25), but solely upon God’s Sovereign will. 

Limited Atonement states that Christ died for all whom the Father gave Him (John 17:9).  Christ did not die to save every single person who have ever lived (John 3:18-21).  God does not wish that any should perish, but the reality is that some will perish.  Not everyone will be saved.  Christ died for the church, His bride, His sheep.  That’s why we who have the Spirit of Christ can cry out Abba, Father, because we are His adopted brothers and sisters (Romans 8:15-16).

Irresistible Grace states that when the Word of God is preached, the elect will have their ears, eyes, and hearts opened by the Holy Spirit; and consequently they will believe because God has set His love upon them (Ezekiel 36:24-32).  Jesus said in John 10:27, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”  When Christ calls those whom the Father has given Him, they will answer the call; not by their own strength, but by the power of the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-18; 15:5)

Perseverance of the Saints states that all who are saved and have the Spirit of Christ living within them will not fall away from the faith.  They will have eternal life. See John 10:28-30.  Philippians 1:6 says, “…being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

After understanding the doctrines of grace, I realize that salvation is truly of the Lord.  It is God who saves, delivers, keeps, elects, and preserves.  It is God who justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies.  Many people, like I did, struggle with understanding God’s work in salvation, especially when we add man’s free will.  I agree it is hard to understand.  It seems as if we are all robots and have no part in our salvation, have no choice in the matter, and have no rights.  But that is false.  We have allot of work to do as seen in Ephesians 2:10.  We are not robots; for we are Christ agents of change on this earth.  We each have our own personalities, talents, and skills.  And God wants to use them for the building of His kingdom.  To put in bluntly, this life is not about us, it’s about God’s glory.  The quicker we see this, the less inclined we are to demand our own rights, will, or decisions.

We have the awesome privilege of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ to all who would believe.  We do not know who the elect are, for the secret things belong to the Lord. However, we do know one thing.  Paul says in Ephesians 3:3-6, “…how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery…which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: that Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel…”  The purpose of the mystery of the gospel of Jesus Christ being revealed to the Gentiles (anyone who is not a Jew) is this: “…and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church [his elect people] to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord…” Ephesians 3:9-11.

What does it mean to be a Reformed Bahamian American? (Part 1)

I was born in Nassau, Bahamas and lived there during my childhood up until I was 11 years old.  I grew up in the Baptist church, with my grandfather as the Senior Pastor.  Most Bahamian Baptist Churches are very traditional…wooden pews, Baptist hymnals, King James Bibles, alter calls, etc.  During my experience as a child in the Baptist Church, Evangelism and Baptism were paramount.  I remember going to countless mission trips to the Bahamian family islands, sharing my faith, and living a life that was undefiled by the world.  I followed the rules.  I didn’t listen to “devil” music, I never watched any “bad” movies, I kept my mouth clean of foul language, I honored my parents, and stayed out of trouble.  I was a good Baptist kid who wanted to see people saved and transformed.  When my family decided to move to the U.S. so that my dad could go to a reformed seminary by the name of RTS, my whole world changed. 

My dad would come home talking about what he had learned in school.  He talked about predestination, election, and God’s sovereignty.  As a young teen, I remember having countless discussions with my dad until the wee hours of the morning, while I was trying to understand at what point does Jesus save a person after the Holy Spirit opens their eyes?  Why are some predestined to hell and others to heaven?  What is free will if God is all sovereign?  How do works and grace interact after salvation?  Am I really saved if I don’t go through the right formula of salvation? 

I searched the scriptures for myself and found that I was totally dead in trespasses and sins and needed a savior to make me alive.  I realized that in my sinful nature, I am an enemy of God.  I needed a new nature.  I needed God to save me.  I walked down the aisle many times trying to justify myself in the eyes of others.  I wanted people to see, look at me, I’m saved!  No one would question my salvation.

The Holy Spirit made these words come alive to me, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 I couldn’t save myself, no matter how hard I tried to be the good Baptist boy I tried to be all my life.  I had to surrender my will to save myself and submit to God’s salvation.  I prayed the prayer of the tax collector in the temple sitting next to the Pharisee, who would not even raise his eyes to heaven, saying, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” Luke 18:13