Leaving church . . .

Awhile ago I read where Barack Obama had "resigned" from the UCC congregation in Chicago, where the notoriously racist minister had been.

Candidly, I know nothing about the details, and subsequent ecclesiastical situation of the Obamas. I want to believe the best, and assume that they were transferred to another (much better) church fellowship.

But that whole dynamic reminded me that there are only three ways to legitimately leave a church: 1) through a transfer; 2) through death; or 3) through excommunication.

Our body once had a member who did a dirty deed (which he had already been caught doing previously). Upon discovery, he then communicated with us that he was no longer a member (of our communion). He tried to "resign," as it were. Such an approach is inadmissible.

And the same thing would apply for Mr. Obama. Just because he (understandably) wanted to distance himself from Rev. Wright, this does not mean that he should fail to go through proper ecclesiastical channels and procedures.

Bottom line: let God's true people always seek to be, by grace, good and faithful churchmen--for the glory of Christ.

Sunday + Church + Worship = Culture (6th article)

It has been said that automobile dealers in Illinois would be very upset, if the law prohibiting car sales on Sunday was ever revoked. Here is an interesting example of where Puritan culture still affects everyday life.

As more and more Christians become faithful churchmen, we will see this kind of culture-changing phenomenon occur more frequently.

All people need a Savior, a day of rest, a covenant community, and the pure worship of God. This is why our evangelism must be designed around the needs of the whole person.

As we set the example, and enjoy the blessings and pleasures of grace, we will shine before the world.

Sunday + Church + Worship = Culture (5th article)

You might be wondering, “How am I a ‘Culture-Former’ simply by being a faithful churchman?” Good question.

First of all, God has covenantally given the whole world—not to unbelievers—but to the children of the church, the children of grace, the children of God. (See Ps. 37:9, 11, & 22 for just one set of many Biblical proofs of this.) Those who are justified by grace through faith in Christ; and who are bound together in the body of Christ are given jurisdiction and dominion of the earth.

Therefore, those with ownership rights are also endued with governing responsibilities. Now, you might be asking, “If all this is true, then why is Sunday, church, and worship so key and important?” The answer to this question is along these lines: “Culture-formers” have got to hear from and be spirited by the Ultimate Culture Governor, God Himself. And HE has designed it so that those who would be His “vice-regents” must be instructed and encouraged by Him, from and in His church, on the Lord’s Day.

Sunday + Church + Worship = Culture (4th article)

In the New Covenant every Sunday (or “Lord’s Day”) is a holy day. Therefore, the Puritan church celebrates 52 “holidays” a year, (and sometimes even 53 [as in 2007], depending on how the calendar lays-out).

The New Covenant believers live from Lord’s Day to Lord’s Day. Every day of the week is *not* the same. Sundays are special—because on them the church celebrates both the historical bodily resurrection of Christ, and its own corporate spiritual resurrection in Christ.

Church becomes the center of the believers’ lives, and Sabbath (Sunday) worship is the crowing glory of the church’s service to God.

From this “mountain-top” experience, then, we re-enter our normal weekday (“valley”) worlds, better equipped and prepared to serve, order, and govern the realms into which God places us.

Sunday + Church + Worship = Culture (3rd article)

What we do in the church service on Sunday is *the* most important thing we do all week. The church’s Sabbath worship of God is the closest thing to heaven that we can experience on earth. Our Christian lives flow down from, and out of our congregational service on The Lord’s Days.