Dr. Daniel Brown’s Paper answering the question “Should We Leave The Church”:

An Email and a Reply

WHEN I RECEIVED THE EMAIL, I KNEW EXACTLY WHAT MY FRIENDS WERE ASKING. I WASN’T SURPRISED BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN HAVING SEVERAL SIMILAR CONVERSATIONS ALL OVER THE WORLD, especially in the last year. The question Should I leave my church is not new. Most of the time the issue comes up out of frustration or hurt – legitimate or otherwise. Wounded, disappointed believers have been asking themselves, others and God that question for as long as churches have existed. When the vision of a local church and the vision of an individual for his or her life are vastly different from one another, it’s probably even a good choice to leave that local congregation.

But today, more than ever before, believers are asking this question because they doubt the fundamental legitimacy and usefulness of any local church. At issue are not specific decisions or mistakes made by a church leader, but an overall challenge to churches everywhere. Is the local church a distraction to or a distortion of the ministry Jesus wants us engaged in?

Something’s Changing

Over these past months, I have been sensing profound change in the near future for the Church. As pleased as I am with the way in which we did church when I pastored for 22 years, I know with certainty I would pastor/lead differently today. Too many things have changed in our world. God is the Maker of seasons, and He advises His people to use different harvesting approaches for different crops. God invented change and new ways for us to respond.

Whenever change becomes a subject, it instantly creates a measure of fear, defensiveness or worry. The last thing I want to do is to create dread in the heart of pastors – or some need for them to defend their church program or their approach to ministry. Jesus does not instill fear in His Church. However, He does alert shepherds to dangers faced by their flock, so when heresy or false teaching tries to worm its way into our midst, something is supposed to rise up inside of us: an alert, a warning. That is not fear for ourselves; it is concern for others, and it doesn’t usually tie us up in knots on the inside.

It is understandable that we fear the unknown, especially when it is a changed future. Sometimes, however, we become afraid because we worry that we are running or have run in vain – that we’re doing something wrong, and we have been found out. Nothing I am sensing of impending change is even remotely connected with an indictment against leaders and pastors. I do not believe that the Holy Spirit is chastening or correcting the leaders of His church. Quite the opposite, I believe He is trying to give us an inside track for the future!

Is God Finished with Church?

Unfortunately, there are several voices that seem to be calling for an end to the local church. I even heard of one Frenchman who is declaring that church is a false God, and that we don’t need the church; we just need Jesus and ministry without structure. Added to these wild calls to dissolve the church are several developments – like the house church movement. There is no denying a significant decline in church attendance, especially among long-term believers who no longer find church relevant or necessary in their spiritual walk.

It is as though the flock is scattering before our eyes. That should alert us to something fundamentally off-base. Jesus taught us that if a shepherd is struck down, the sheep scatter. There can be no doubt that the enemy of our soul prefers to have the flock scattered! I do not believe that Jesus intends to see His church broken up primarily into isolated pockets of individual believers who have no appreciation for and receive no benefit from larger assemblies. Even in countries where persecution makes small-group fellowships the only option, there is always an earnest desire in believers’ hearts for greater freedom to allow for larger gatherings! How odd that in countries where we are free to congregate publicly in whatever-size churches some people suggest we ought to fragment our fellowship or leave it as spontaneous.

One pastor friend of mine recently asked, “Why do we leave all the important subjects to the crazies and the weirdoes?” He was talking about extremist teachers/prophets who declare that the local church is obsolete. These teachers appeal to isolation and lawlessness that lurk in every heart. Let’s face it, it is much easier to live out my Christian life when I have no real accountability set up around me. Feeling that I am right and my leader is wrong, I can simply unfetter myself from the relationship and walk away. I don’t have to wrestle with the challenging pain of submitting to leaders with whom I disagree.

And as long as I keep my fellowship group small enough, I’m unlikely to find much difficulty in relationships – because the group is, by definition, highly selective and exclusive. The more informal the group, the less likely any member will need to go through protracted seasons of disagreement or discomfort with any other member. There will be no iron sharpening iron, no struggles to get along with fellow believers. “Just me and Jesus” is profoundly off-center from the New Testament record where we read of the church learning to respond to Hellenistic widows neglected in daily rationing (Acts 6:1-8); disharmony between individuals like Euodia and Syntyche (Philippians 4:2); as well as the constant exhortation to “preserve unity” (Ephesians 4:3), and not to forsake gathering together “as is the habit of some” (Hebrews 10:25).

Make no mistake, there are many ungodly and spiritually dangerous reasons why individuals get tempted to draw away from regular church involvement. For example, Proverbs 18:1 explains that some people separate themselves in order to pursue their own “desire” unchallenged by the wisdom of others. Sometimes, the lying whispers of slanderers divide and scatter a flock (Proverbs 16:28; 17:9). Self-seekers, fault-finders and worldly-minded people can also create divisions (see 3 John 1:9-11 and Jude 1:16-19).

A Church for Our Era

But what I’m sensing in the larger Body of Christ today is neither what some extremist teachers are espousing nor what carnal saints are following. Those are both smoke-screens, distractions. I’m interested in how the Holy Spirit is whispering something wonderfully fresh, trying to change the way we think about and do church. I don’t feel threatened by this change; I feel excited and hopeful. Months from now, we will have a better vocabulary and a better understanding, so we will be able to dialogue about these developments far better than I am able to speak of them today. But I want to get started.

As I have said, a kind and good God is trying to alert the leaders of His church to a reorientation that will make His church more capable for more ministry in today’s world. Let’s not forget that God is more aware than anyone of the changes going on in our times – and the vastly different mindset of this era compared to previous eras. Could we all agree that God has never been one to lag behind the times; He is the God who prophesies and arranges the future! Since God knows what is coming, He knows best how to position His church to take full advantage of the changes developing in our culture.

I received an e-mail from some friends in another part of the world (see below). It is typical of the kind of conversations I’m having with people everywhere. Long-time believers. Sincere followers of Christ. Seasoned leaders. Mature Christians. In essence, this couple is wrestling with the decision of whether or not to leave their local church. You may not have had similar conversations with people you know, but I promise you that these thoughts are swirling around in the minds of many Christians.

E-Mail From a Solid and Dedicated Christian Couple

Happy New Year Daniel!!! Hope you and your family are doing good!?

Since the Leadership Conference I had the impression I should write you, it was a up and down… But since last night I felt, I have to! But first, no pressure, if you are not able to answer by the way, it’s ok! [Husband] told me, He had a conversation with you once early in the morning… This morning He felt He should go earlier to the breakfast and see if He would meet you there… So it really felt like a meeting from God!

For [Husband] and me, since several months, we felt, how we live church, it’s not really satisfying anymore and we desire for much more.

The last months we met often different kind of Christians from all different kind of churches. It just came so. And… I prayed to have Christians as neighbors and it really happened! In our house and we meet from time to time, encouraging each other in the way with Jesus and to look outside of the church! It’s so great! With the others it was similar, sharing with each other our faith and our visions… and feeling God has something new and fresh for us, that He would like to do something new with our church, with this I mean the body of Christ! When we have spend time with this people, it felt like church!

Many things we were living in our church, I don’t see so much anymore and things were happening lately not so fun with people…

Last night we have been with friends and sharing our lives and suddenly [Husband] told us, since a time it came up more and more in him, He don’t feel good anymore in [Church] and to see things how [Pastor] is doing, and said, the time is over He thinks and it would be better to leave the church.

For me it was kind a shock! Yes of course, since about 3 years I don’t feel so good anymore and I tried always to do what God was asking me to do and to pray for our church and to encouraging people to look on the good things… I got tired… At the moment I feel confusion, frustration, sadness and have many questions about things we are doing where I’m not sure anymore if it’s so in the bible…

We heard a sermon from a guy named [Man], He was pastor for 20 years. God called him out of this and He got another ministry. God met him once, when He almost died and said to him: Stop to preach about revival, preach about reformation, I want do a new thing and changing structures, church living and theologies… About this time, [Woman] and [Man] got the same word! We felt more and more, how we live church it’s not really functioning. When [Husband] tried to speak with [Pastor], He couldn’t get trough. Since many years I submitted to [Pastor] even I saw some things different. Today, does this sound crazy? Is it better to get out?

Should I submit to [Husband] even I don’t have the peace yet? Sometimes I don’t know what means submissions under my husband. What do you think? I really would like to do what God has for us! Sorry, this mail is so long and I stop now!

My E-mail in Reply [expanded from the original]

Hello [Woman] and Happy New Year to you and [Husband],

I am so happy you wrote me. The questions you ask and the implications for your lives are BIG—and not so easy to answer via email. But I will do my best…

Let me begin by telling you what I am hearing and seeing all over the world. Many, many believers are finding church unsatisfying. The feelings of dissatisfaction are not really about specific situations or people. Obviously, conflicts and disagreements over decisions, etc. can always be a problem, but when so many people in so many countries are having the same feeling, I conclude that their feelings are not really about their individual local churches.

So let’s start there. I think it will be a big mistake if you conclude that the problem is confined to [Church], or that if [Pastor] made different decisions you would be more satisfied.

Something much bigger than your local church is going on. I don’t yet have the right words to describe it, but when I read your e-mail, I smiled to myself because what you are describing is what I have been trying to describe. Many believers desire more than just a weekly service. They long to be “ministry agents” – to be more active in sharing with others, and living out their faith in spontaneous, informal ways. I suspect that many of the Christians you have been meeting from other churches are feeling the same thing. So, I do not really believe the problem is with [Church] or any other specific congregation.

In fact, I don’t really see this as a problem, at all. Rather, it seems that God, by His Spirit, is alerting us (prophetically) to something He wants to be doing in the future. [Husband] is a prophetic guy! And your passion for the unsaved will always leave you feeling dissatisfied if you live out your faith mostly within the walls of the church.

I don’t think this is the time to leave your church, as much as it is a time to help lead your church. As you are discovering, leadership in the kingdom is never a simple matter! It requires that we surrender often, pay a huge price of personal sacrifice, and continue to resist the temptation to stop leading. What I mean by that is this: once we leave a group – because they are not yet ready to go where we want to go – we are no longer leaders! We have surrendered our responsibility for others, and have put our own needs/desires ahead of theirs. We have stepped into isolation, and no one can follow us where were going.

This is a mistake that I see many believers make. They don’t understand that leadership is a long process filled with many points of frustration. As a leader, I must always balance a tension. Of course I want to go where God wants me to go; but I also have a responsibility to bring people with me. So I must be sensitive about how quickly I move. There are many people who believe they are following the leading of God to leave the church they have been a part of. But I almost never see those people ending up as leaders in the future. They tend to merely fade away from any lasting ministry, and squander all that was invested in them.

Oh, they might gossip and say bad things about church leaders in order to get people to follow them out of the church, but once they get out of the church, they rarely lead anyone through the Scriptures or disciple anyone in the things of the Kingdom. I have watched so many disgruntled saints become more and more isolated, and less and less engaged in ministry. Bitterness is the usual outcome when people attribute their issues to others’ faults. Can you name even one former leader who left your church in [country] who now exercises any regular leadership/discipleship role for the sake of others? I’ve known your church for many years, and I cannot!

Spontaneous, informal fellowship is fabulous! I’m glad that you are meeting up with other Christians and gathering in your home to share with one another. That really is the meaning of church. But I have also discovered that lasting spiritual results almost always require some kind of structure. Again, it is difficult to maintain the proper balance: if there is too much structure or if we rely too much on programs, the spontaneous life and vitality drains away; but if we just have spontaneous meetings with individual believers, and have no regular structure or regular instruction, the fruit tends not to last.

I urge you to be very careful in the decision you make.

I will tell you a personal secret: the denomination I have been part of for nearly 35 years has mostly been frustrating to me. I cannot even begin to tell you how many disappointments and hurts have come into my life as a result of my continued participation in our denomination. Many, many times I wanted to leave it. I was sure they were not going in the right direction. I was sure they were missing it! Why have I stayed in the Movement all these years? I have stayed because there are only three alternatives: 1) join up with another group/church that will end up having as many problems; 2) start an independent group that will end up having as many problems; or, 3) refuse to connect and submit myself meaningfully to the Body of Christ.

If I leave my church or my denomination, I can no longer lead the people I love who are in them. They are the reason I have stayed in our denomination.

So, here’s the very difficult question for you: What will you do after you leave [Church]? Are you really ready to offer yourselves as spiritual leaders who promise to care for, nurture and disciple these many believers that you are coming into contact with? Or, would you prefer to teach them, by your example, that they can flourish in their spiritual walk without vital, ongoing participation in an assembly of other believers. [By the way, how much of your spiritual understanding and maturity do you think is due to the many years you sat under regular teaching at church—and connected with church members who were further along in their walk?]

Long ago I lost count of the men and women who received love, mending, training and spiritual empowerment at our church, but who later forgot about doing to others what was done to them. When it came time to “grow up” and exchange the thrill of receiving ministry for the responsibility doing ministry, they found fault with the very place/process that God used so mightily in their life! I’m actually somewhat proud that our church couldn’t keep pace with their ever-increasing appetite for being blessed, rather than being a blessing to others.

Right now, the out-of-church happenings in your lives all seem exciting and spiritual. But remember, a tree must be judged by its fruit. True spiritual fruit takes a long time to develop. I wonder if people truly understand just how much pain and suffering and thankless, unsatisfying work is required for authentic spiritual breakthrough? Harvests only come after a long string of bone-wearying days. Jesus doesn’t invite His followers to be ministry connoisseurs, excitement-seekers or free-agents; He calls us to be bondservants who can always find a way to be a blessing to others—regardless of the setting.

I’m not really a spiritual person just because I can walk into an orchard and pick several apples when they’re in season. I am a spiritual person only if I am willing to do all of the hard work for many months leading up to an apple harvest. I have to fertilize, water, dig out the weeds and do many not-so-exciting things. That’s why I’m a spiritual pragmatist: the question that most guides my life (when I do not hear specific instruction from the Lord) is “Where and how can I do the most good to the most people over the long-haul?”

Immediate excitement isn’t the same thing as long-term engagement. For all its warts and blemishes, the local church is still the best arrangement to keep believers in ministry connection with one another to impact their community over many years.

What God is doing right now is very, very big. Even for someone like me who has walked with Jesus for decades, it is still hard to discern what He is doing – and what He wants us to do. But one thing I know for certain. Our response in this changing season must be spiritual in the true sense of the word. Spiritual is not always what I want, or what satisfies me. Spiritual is long-suffering and patient and self-sacrificing. Spiritual sows in tears and remains steadfast even when others benefit more than we do from our participation.

Of course, I will love you whatever you two decide. I sincerely hope that you will find a way to participate in spontaneous ministry outside of church without making the decision to completely leave your church. Both you and [Church] will lose something if you do.

With much love, Daniel

Visit our website ctw.coastlands.org

My Thoughts After Reading Daniel’s Paper

I think what we’re seeing is a backlash of sorts to the attractional model of church in the last 20-30 years. Our style of church has become an entertainment model of sorts, not to be crass, and not fellowship and discipleship/training based. Just as TV shows run their course, people weary of them and they’re canceled, because the audience is wanting more and they walk away. Now, in Western culture at least, self created content is supreme with the rise of YouTube, etc. People want to be involved in the process and not mere spectators. Its not enough to just be entertained. There is a huge community of fan-based content creation. Fans of Star Wars don’t just want to watch Star Wars, they want to make their own Star Wars movies. It isn’t enough to just play Angry Birds, people create they’re own “levels” on their dining room tables out of blocks and stuffed green pigs!

Folks desire to be involved in the process and not mere spectators. But isn’t this the model Jesus gave us? “Go” was his great commission. Jesus’ call is an intentional and specific directive that His disciples and followers be involved in the process! I take what Dr. Brown is clarifying as a call to make churches a place of fellowship and discipleship so that Christians have a foundation in truth to then “Go.” To be involved in the process, to be content-creators of new and innovative ways to advance the kingdom. Our role as pastors is not to satisfy, entertain and placate but to provide a place to cultivate dynamic relationships amongst Christians, for that place where “iron sharpens iron,” and to teach and train Christians to go into a pluralistic culture and contextualize the gospel as Paul did at Mars Hill for the Athenians. In that, I believe, those Christians questioning “church” and their place in it will sense a renewed meaning and purpose to gathering with other believers as a springboard to missional action in their neighborhoods and communities.

A tough reality for us pastors is there is still a latent desire among many to be entertained only and not involved, and they will clamor for that. We will have to walk through this transition with the fresh work the Holy Spirit is breathing as a goal to work towards and be wary of the voices calling for the status quo. A bit of rambling from me, but Dr. Brown has helped organize thoughts and ideas rolling around in my head.

As always Dr. Brown is leading us forward through the direction of the Holy Spirit. Thanks!

The emphasis that this is something new God is doing was at first a bit disorienting for me.  Then I remembered that God hasn’t changed and neither have His methods.  I think that what we’re seeing is the inevitable end of a fleshly approach to ministry.

Jesus said, “The wind blows where it wishes” (John 3:8).  Programs and structures are needed just like a body needs a skeleton.  But when programs and structures were heralded and believed in as a source of life rather than a vehicle for it, ministry became fleshy… or maybe better said, boney!  Skeletal.  People who have believed in church rather than in Jesus are disappointed.  People who have been serving structures rather than following the Spirit are disillusioned.

Our job as pastors is to empower people with the Holy Spirit to do hands-on ministry and then invent structures and are flexible to the point of being destructible (when Jesus walked away from the Temple in Matt. 24:1-2, he declared the end of organized religion).  Thus our programs and structures should always be seen as temporary and experimental.

May we always have the faith and courage to invent structures that the Spirit can blow across to bring life (Ezekiel 37).  But may we always be ready to abandon those bones when the Spirit changes directions.

14 December 2011

Dear Ephesus,

Casey and I moved to Charlotte in 2005 to work towards planting Ephesus Church. Over the next 2 years, God began to make it clear He desired to see this church planted in the center of the city. It would be a church that would initially reach out to those who live and work in the center of Charlotte. It would be a church that would love Jesus, love people and love the city. It has become a church that is exactly that. Ephesus and its people hold the truth of God’s Word very high, but it is a church that also loves people right where they are. It is a church committed to its neighborhood and its city. It is a sending church and a very giving church. It is an incredibly healthy church. Casey and I are honored and humbled to pastor such a wonderful church. We’ve often said to one another, if we were making a choice, “we would go to Ephesus!”

In October of this year, God began to speak to us that a change was coming. There were circumstances in our lives that led us to begin praying about what God was doing next in the Eige family. We had some financial difficulties that were very challenging at that time. Also, I was recommended to see a cardiologist about some heart issues that I was having. In the midst of this I began to sense that Casey and I needed to pray about what God was doing in our lives. She agreed that we needed to pray. She and I then took some time to pray and fast and ask God if a new season was in front of us. We came back together and both felt God was saying our time as pastors of Ephesus Church was coming to an end. We talked with our family and met with our denominational leadership, and they all saw God working in this situation and agreed with our decision. They asked tough questions and challenged us on our motivations, and that process only confirmed this was God working and not our reaction to temporal circumstances. As October ended and November began those personal circumstances did change. Ephesus blessed us for Pastor’s Appreciation Month in a way that helped us get over the financial hurdle we were facing. Additionally, the church council worked to adjust the 2012 budget that would have given me an appreciable raise, and the cardiologist determined that I have no heart issues. However, throughout these things, Casey and I still knew God was bringing our season at Ephesus to a close, this only confirmed it in our hearts. Therefore, January 31^st, 2012 will be our last day as pastors of Ephesus Church.

The church council and elders of Ephesus Church have met with our denominational leadership to begin working out a transitional plan. Ephesus will continue, our denomination and the leadership team of Ephesus are committed to this course. Casey and I have pushed very hard for this; Ephesus is too healthy with too many great things happening for this not to be the case. For a time, Stan Wilson, Executive Pastor at Grace Covenant Church in Cornelius, NC will serve as transitional pastor to oversee the leadership at Ephesus. We can’t recommend him enough. Pastor Stan was our pastor when we served in California and poured into our lives, and continues to pour into our lives today. He is a man of wisdom and incredible heart. I specifically asked that he serve in this role, and am so pleased he is able and willing to do so. Our denomination, the Foursquare Church, is ultimately responsible for appointing the next pastor of Ephesus Church. They will however be working very closely with the leadership of Ephesus throughout this process. Pastor Dale Jenkins of Concord, and Pastor Bill Graafsma of Indian Trail will be spearheading the process under the oversight of the Southeast District Supervisor, Scott Reece. They are already at work with the Ephesus leadership team to develop a pastoral profile to provide a benchmark for identifying the next pastor of Ephesus. They all understand that Ephesus is a unique church and will require the right leader in this next season, and there is a commitment and faith that God is already positioning that leader.

Casey and I love this church. There have been many tears and much grief in our house over this decision, but we know that ultimately, it is the right one. As we prayed about this decision, God directed Casey to John 15. Here Jesus talks of the vine and cutting away the dead branches, but then He also talks of the gardener pruning away healthy, fruit-bearing branches to allow for even more growth and health in the plant. We firmly believe the Eiges are being pruned from Ephesus so that Ephesus can grow much more and become even more fruitful. That is an exciting promise for Ephesus Church! Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your lives and share so many wonderful moments with you. We will always cherish this time in our lives with you.

What’s next for the Eige family? We are not planning on leaving the ministry, only transitioning. Our hope is to find a ministry assignment at another Foursquare church somewhere around the country. We honestly don’t know where that is at this point and have not been offered another position as of the writing of this letter. We are taking a step out in faith and believe God is speaking, so we are acting as Nehemiah did in the 2^nd chapter of Nehemiah. We still feel called to pastor and know God is orchestrating what our next assignment will be, just as He is preparing the next phase of Ephesus Church.

We love you all so much and will always deeply love this church. It has been an honor and a privilege.

Sincerely,

Ben Eige

Over the last year, the church I pastor, Ephesus Church, has not produced any singular outreach events, but through something we call the 1:8 Initiative (Acts 1:8) we have come alongside several great community events. Our local neighborhood, Wilmore, put on Wilmore Day in the Spring. We had access to free inflatable games for the kids and a sound system that we set up and ran throughout the event to support what our neighborhood was doing. Throughout the spring and summer the other neighborhood we straddle, South End, held a monthly Gallery Crawl. We became a stop on the Gallery Crawl each month showing local artists work and having local musicians play live. Our goal was not to create a “safe” alternative to the Gallery Crawl, but to support and be a part of what South End was doing. By the end of the season we developed great support and relationships with the organizers as they realized our heart to be a part of what was already happening and not create something separate. This fall we’re loving the city of Charlotte by supporting the local NFL team the Carolina Panthers. Ephesus is only a few blocks south of Bank of America Stadium (the home of the Panthers). Last season was the first time Ephesus was its current space and the church saw the crowds and parking issues as a challenge to be overcome on home game days. This year, the church saw it as an opportunity to love the city. For the home opener, the church planned a tailgate party to celebrate the Panthers in lieu of church service that day. A young man in the church designed and produced a great looking magnet with the Panthers’ schedule on it, a bit about the church and an invitation to the tailgate party. These were passed all around the neighborhood and on opening day several folks from the neighborhood came out to eat hot dogs, play cornhole and watch the game or for some, walk a few blocks and go to the game. Throughout the season the church has continued to support the Panthers, watching the pre-game after service and watching the game together during the monthly potluck. It’s fun to watch football, but it’s also great to be a church that Loves the City! The local Fox news channel felt this was a pretty cool thing too, you can see the story they ran here.

Position on Alcohol, the Church, and the Christian

The purpose of this paper is to establish the position of Ephesus Church (Charlotte, NC) on alcohol, the church, and the Christian. For well over 100 years, the Protestant Christian Church in the United States has held a mostly negative view of alcohol consumption of any kind. This has led to the view that abstaining completely from the consumption of alcohol is holy, godly, and “Christian-like” for all believers. The leadership of Ephesus Church believes this to be an incorrect and unbiblical viewpoint on alcohol. This has led to shame, guilt, and secrecy among many Christians who do consume alcohol. Additionally, it has further separated the U.S. church from the culture it has been called to reach out to by placing undue and unnecessary restraints on living missionally. This paper will clarify a biblical view on alcohol consumption as held by the leadership of Ephesus Church.

Background

Historically, the Church has not held a prohibition on the consumption of alcohol. This is a new phenomenon stemming from social changes of the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries. A new piety swept the nation and influenced how Christians viewed alcohol. This led to a widely held value that Christians must be abstentionists or prohibitionists. This culminated in the passing of the 18^th Amendment in 1919. Concurrently, imbibing alcohol by Christians took on the label of “sin” and became a new standard by which holiness could be measured. This attitude towards alcohol has continued to the present day in many Protestant Christian churches and organizations. There are instances that this is explicitly stated as requirement for membership in churches and/or denominations. However, more often, it is just “understood” that a righteous Christian will not drink alcohol. These perspectives on the consumption of alcohol have led to a disconnect with the culture the Church has been called to reach, limiting opportunities to gather and share the Gospel with those that do not yet know Jesus. Additionally, a false legalism has led to expectations placed on Christians and non-Christians alike that further separate the Church from its community, a mentality which leads to self-righteous superiority and failure to love people as Jesus does.

Position of Ephesus Church

The leadership of Ephesus Church holds the position that consumption of alcohol, in moderation, does not violate Scripture and, in fact, is shown to be a part of the lives of many Leaders of the Faith and biblical persons, including Jesus, the Apostles, and early church pastors. Below, we will present the biblical and historical support for the consumption of alcohol, in moderation, in the Christian’s life.

Biblical Support

• Psalms 104:15-“wine makes glad the heart of man.” The Psalmist praising God for His Creation that provides for mankind. This includes wine, oil, and bread, the staples of Hebrew life.
• Ecclesiastes 9:7-“Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God has already accepted your works.” This is a celebration of a life lived following God.
• Song of Solomon 1:2-The wife of Solomon makes it clear that wine is good, although married love is better!
• Luke 5:27-39 (Matthew 9:9-17, Mark 2:13-22)-Jesus celebrates the salvation of Matthew the tax collector at a party thrown by Matthew that includes eating and drinking. He then equates the Kingdom of God to new wine in new wineskins.
• Luke 7:33-34 (Matthew 11:18-19)-Jesus makes it clear that John did not drink wine, but Jesus had been accused of being a drunkard through His partaking of wine. From this, we know Jesus was not a drunk, but did drink wine.
• John 2:1-10-The first recorded miracle of Jesus’ ministry is turning water into wine at a wedding feast. It is not feasible that Jesus would miraculously create wine knowing that its imbibing would lead those around Him into sin.
• 1 Timothy 5:23-Paul encourages Timothy, the young pastor of the church in Ephesus, to “use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.” Modern medicine has shown the positive value of moderate alcohol intake for any number of health issues.
• Titus 2:3-Church leaders are to “not be given to much wine” along with other valued traits. This is not a call to abstention in leadership, but wise consumption.

From these passages we see that God created wine for mankind to enjoy, that Jesus made and drank wine, and that early church leaders were encouraged to include alcohol in their diets in moderation. There is no restriction on consuming alcohol in moderation in Scripture (over-consumption will be addressed below), therefore Christians today cannot have any such restrictions either.

Alcohol in the History of the Church

This does not seek to be a complete view of alcohol in the history of the Church but selected instances of respected church leaders and Christians throughout history that consumed alcohol.

• Martin Luther, in letters to his wife, lamented missing her beer while he was away traveling. On the one hand, we see that Luther was deeply in love with his wife; on the other, she was a beer brewer who apparently made a good brew that Luther enjoyed. (Radical Reformission, Mark Driscoll)

• The Puritans brought beer over on the Mayflower, and the first building they erected in New England was a brewery. (Drinking with Calvin and Luther, Jim West)

• Arthur Guiness, who began brewing Guiness beer in Ireland in 1759, was a devout Christian who used the proceeds of Guiness beer to finance Sunday Schools throughout Ireland teaching literacy and the bible. His motivation for brewing beer was in response to the large-scale alcoholism throughout Ireland from the consumption of high-alcohol content, yet poorly made, gin. Guiness Beer was a lower-alcohol option, with the added benefit of also cleaning out dangerous bacteria from the water as it was brewed. (Guinness, Relevant Magazine April 2011)

Prohibitions of Alcohol

The position of Ephesus Church is not complete without also addressing the issue of drunkenness. While the bible makes it clear that consuming alcohol is not sinful and, in some cases, encouraged; it also makes very clear, the sinful consequences of drunkenness or the inappropriate use of alcohol in certain circumstances.

• Leviticus 10:9-10-The priests were not to consume alcohol while performing their priestly duties in the tabernacle.

• Isaiah 5:11-Isaiah declares “woe” on those that drink all day and become drunk.

• Proverbs 31:4-5-Leaders are not to drink excessively while presiding as judge.

Multiple times in the New Testament Christians are called to not be drunk.

• Romans 13:13
• Ephesians 5:18
• 1 Thessalonians 5:7
• Galatians 5:21
• 1 Peter 4:2-3

Additionally, Christians are called to obey the law of the land in regards to drinking.

• Romans 13:1-Christians must be “subject to the governing authorities.” In the United States, the legal drinking age is 21. Therefore, Christians who have celebrated their 21^st birthday are allowed to drink alcohol. Christians who have not celebrated their 21^st birthday are violating Scripture if they drink alcohol in any quantity.

An argument against drinking uses 1 Corinthians 8:9 as a prohibition to drinking alcohol. This verse addresses Christian liberty wrongly causing another brother or sister to stumble in their faith. The argument in this context is that Christians drinking alcohol may cause those prone to alcoholism to stumble. This is a noble challenge. There are those that are prone to alcoholism, and the Church must recognize and appreciate that struggle. At no point can we see our consumption of alcohol from a sense of “selfish entitlement.” 1 Corinthians 8 should not, however, be seen as a wholesale prohibition on alcohol consumption by Christians. Others are prone to obesity, yet Christians celebrate over meals regularly. Also, some are prone to sexual addiction, but Christians do not prohibit interaction with the opposite sex! We must be aware and considerate of those prone to addictions in our actions and words, but we cannot wholesale prohibit many healthy areas of our lives in the process.

Conclusion

The biblical and historical evidence points to the reality that a holy, righteous, and godly life can include the moderate consumption of alcohol. There is clear direction from the bible to avoid drunkenness and, as with all things, be mindful of those around us. But the Church cannot rightly claim that imbibing is sinful. As we joyously live in the freedom of Christ in this area, we are less prone to legalism and religiosity while making Christ and Christian-living more accessible to those that do not yet know Him within our cultural context. And enjoying a drink with friends is a great way to build community!

Bottom line, I don’t regret the decision at all. I came home from a full day of working to a house full of kids and my wife. With nothing now pressing on my schedule I could give them my full attention. Casey had to run some errands and I suggested we all go. With 3 kids it’s not often we all run errands together. It was loud and crazy, but we were together. We went to the party store for streamers for bike day at Casey’s school. The boys and I explored all the fun party toys and looked at each other backwards through toy binoculars. My favorite part was when I put on a Darth Vader mask and told the boys “I am your father!” which I think is hilarious because I am their father!. Riley pointed out all the bad Halloween decorations because they are bad and Riley loves Jesus, and we generally had a crazy, fun time. We came home, gave them all baths and I read some of The Hobbit to the kids. Ridge then declared he was the “prayer leader” for the night and prayed for everyone before bed. Then it was tuck ins and lights out for the kids. Casey and I then watched two different movies thanks to modern technology, but finished the night on our knees praying for our family and our church before crawling into bed and going to sleep side by side.

So I missed CharlotteONE last night and probably messed up some people’s plans to meet up there. I’m a little sorry about that, but I know I made the right decision and focused on the right priorities last night.

Ephesus Church is a blessing to my life, but being the pastor to my family far exceeds it. This last month has been hard on all of us, and I’ve prayed that I won’t lose the boys in the midst of this. Today, I got to spend the whole afternoon with Riley exploring Uptown Charlotte again. Then tonight, Ridge decides he’s ready to pray to Jesus. I got to be Pastor Daddy, which is a way higher priority than Pastor Ben. Not only did I get to pray with Ridge tonight, but I know Riley has been praying for Ridge for months. That’s a good day.

This past Sunday during our time of worship I felt God put a challenge to some at Ephesus in regards to being dabblers. That’s a broad word, but one I think we all understand in our own context. To dabble, is to test the waters, try something out, give it a go, etc, but not jump full in. That’s left to the professionals! Bill Bryson wrote a great story about his personal journey on the Applachian Trail in A Walk in the Woods. The Appalachian Trail is over 1200 miles from Georgia to Maine and many folks hike portions of it from time to time. But Bryson’s story highlights the idea of hiking the whole Trail, thru-hiking, as it’s called. He begins in Georgia with his gear and a plan, a good start, and very quickly meets other folks with the intention of thru-hiking the Trail. What is so interesting are the folks who are “giving it a shot.” Some carrying actual suitcases by the handle for their 1200 mile journey through the woods. Needless to say, those folks didn’t complete the hike, much less make it more than 20 miles down the trail. They were dabbling. When it got tough and their feet hurt, and the handle of their suitcase was digging into their hand, they gave up. They maybe talked a good line to their friends, called themselves hikers, and started something, but there was no commitment. Without commitment, there is no finish. Without commitment there is no leadership. Without commitment, Jesus was just a nice guy with interesting things to say.

We must be committed. Across the board, throughout our lives, we must be committed. This topic is so important to me, because I see so many people walk through life with very little commitment, or commitment to the wrong things at the wrong times, for the wrong reasons. Lack of commitment shows itself in different ways; being late to appointments, coming up with excuses to renege on “commitments” and generally not being someone folks can count on. In my experience, lack of commitment seems to especially afflict those who are young, unmarried, and/or without kids. Now don’t start throwing stones, I know that’s a HUGE generalization, but it’s also fairly true. But there’s hope! That’s why I’m writing this, because I love this demographic. I love the potential in this demographic when they do commit. I’ve seen it in many young people who are committed to big dreams and big God-pursuits. And I’ve seen it in every great leader I’ve ever known.

For some application, I want to first relate three observations on commitment made by John Maxwell in The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader. (his points, my observations)

1. Commitment Starts in the Heart. We’ve all heard about that kid who had “real heart.” But there is something to that. That’s where commitment begins. An internal decision to go all out for something or things. If your heart is not in something, commitment will be tough to come by. This can be an indicator of where you shouldn’t be spending your time. But most likely, it’s a wake-up call about getting your heart in the game. I think we can use it as an excuse. “My heart just wasn’t in it, so I quit.” That’s fine, but let me ask you, is your heart in anything? Are you committed to anything? I think often times we dabble in many things, but our heart is in none of them, therefore we lack commitment and never fully achieve all that God places before us. Get some real heart!
2. Commitment is Tested by Action. Talk, talk, talk! It doesn’t mean a whole lot unless there’s action! We’ve all known those people who can talk up one side and down the other. I always catch myself critiquing the Gators on a Sunday after the game, and I usually catch myself pretty quickly and realize I’m all talk! I never played organized football, in skate culture, they call that a poser. I was never committed enough to actually get on the field. Action is where commitment makes a real impact in our lives and leadership. Do you follow-through on your commitments?
3. Commitment Opens the Door to Achievements. We face all kinds of obstacles in our lives, even when we’re on a “mission from God.” David had to put some stones in his pouch and walk out on that field with Goliath standing in the way, a pretty big obstacle. But look what his commitment brought him. Commitment gives us the impetus to continue to push forward and achieve that which is worthwhile.

Areas of commitment.

1. Personal Commitment. As I mentioned at the beginning, one of the big ideas God laid on my heart for this year was personal discipline, physically, intellectually, and spiritually. Discipline comes from commitment. Are you committed to bettering yourself? Especially in the 3 areas I just listed. Getting off the couch to exercise takes TREMENDOUS will power! If you’re not committed, nothing will change. Actually reading a book with chapters and no pictures takes commitment! Digging into God’s word on a regular, on-going basis to better know and study who He is takes commitment. No one else can take the place of YOU being committed to bettering yourself.
2. Corporate Commitment. By this, I mean commitment to those around you. In your church, home group, workplace, family, friends, etc. Are you committed to others and the responsibilities that come with being in relationship and community? Do you show up when you say you will? Do you avoid calling at the last minute to change plans because “something better came along?” Do you offer to be there for others? Do you help where there is a need amongst your relationships and within your church? Too often our culture has groomed us to be very self-focused. We are committed to others when it is in our self-interest but not often beyond that. Recent studies show that although there is a seeming increase in social action, many of our generation are more self-focused than ever before. This comes from a lack of corporate commitment. As leaders on mission with Jesus we must be committed to those around us.
3. Spiritual Commitment. This is the one you knew was coming! Are you committed to the mission of Jesus? Not just a prayer and a thank you while you wait for heaven, but truly committed, beyond yourself, to advancing the Kingdom of God on Earth? This past week (4/11/10) Seth Ervin challenged us with the reality of Jesus being alive, and how that changes everything. A ragtag bunch of Jews were transformed by a living Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit so as to change history forever. They were committed! They were committed to Jesus in such a way that they lived with no regrets and wasted no moment proclaiming Jesus to those around them. They lived and moved in the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit so that lives were healed, changed and brought to Jesus. They were committed to their deaths. Is our relationship with Jesus that strong? Are we that committed? I believe, when we begin to take seriously our spiritual committed to Jesus our lives will change, the lives around us will change, this city will change, and we’ll be leaders others will want to follow as we follow Jesus.