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Christian Living

What Do You Expect From Church?

Push Aside the Past to Worship God Today

To the homeless man who complained about our church service, I said, “It sounds like you wanted a Baptist experience.”

When he continued his rant, I became more direct: “If you want a Baptist experience, you need to go to a Baptist church.”

I later told my wife, “It’s like he went to a rock concert and was upset they didn’t play country western.” Indeed, he went with expectations formed by his experiences and was disappointed when he didn’t see what he was used to.

We all do this. We look for a church based on our experiences, be it directly or indirectly. When people move they evaluate a new church through the lens of their former church; they search for a new one that’s just like the old one they loved.

Even when people leave a church disillusioned and seek one that’s different, they still expect certain key elements to remain the same.

Some people even switch churches for something new and then try to make the new church more like their old one.

Not only do our expectations usually yield disappointment, they often lack biblical support.

Consider some of the things people expect at church: a certain music style, an alter call, Sunday school, dressing up or not dressing up, small groups, a three-point sermon or expository message, using the KJV versus some other version, a choir, a children’s message, and so on.

None of these are biblical. They may match our experiences, but they don’t conform to what the Bible teaches.

One of the key things I learned from visiting 52 churches was that the best way to experience church was to rid myself of expectation.

While it’s impossible to not evaluate a church through the lens of experience, I did need to remove my expectations.

I needed to open my mind to new experiences, to see God in new ways, to encounter him afresh.

The next time you’re in church, leave your expectations and experiences at home. Open your heart and let God inusing whatever means he wishes.

That’s what I hope to do today.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Christian Living

Complaining about Church

What You Expect Forms Your Experience

When leaving church a few weeks ago, a man called out, “Hey! You! Come here!”

I didn’t much feel like interacting with another homeless man asking for a handout. He’d be unhappy with my solution, and my wife, fearing for our safety, wouldn’t want me to stop. I shook my head and kept walking.

“Seriously, do you go to that church?” He tipped his head towards the building I just left.

I took a few steps closer. A slight man, but he possessed a formidable force, complete with lip-sneer and eye-glare. Physically he was no threat, but his countenance urged caution. “Yes, I do.”

“Well, I just went to that church,” he snarled. “Not one person talked to me!” Given his aura of invective, I wasn’t surprised.

Yet, at the same time, as our church has grown, we’ve become less friendly. Even if he lost the attitude, there was a good chance no one would have greeted him.

“I’m sorry.”

“And all you did was ask for money—that’s all I heard the whole service.”

We seldom talk about giving. We don’t even take an offering. But today we mentioned money, briefly: “If God’s telling you to give, then give, but if you don’t want to, then please don’t.” It took thirty seconds of a 75-minute service.

“We must have been at different services.”

“Are you even a Christian church?” He snarled again, this time with more fervor. “You never mentioned being covered by the blood.”

I’ve heard the phrase, but never understood it. Since it’s not in the Bible, I don’t much care what it means. “Is it important for you to hear that?”

“Yes, I need to hear it every week!”

“It sounds like you want a Baptist experience.”

This confused him. “Well…I used to go to a Baptist church.”

I pointed to one nearby, but he shook his head. “I’ve been appointed to investigate all churches.”

I didn’t even care to ask who appointed him or why.

He continued his barrage. “And you didn’t even have an altar call!”

That’s when my wife piped in. I assumed she went on to the car, but instead she hovered about twenty feet behind me. “We have a prayer team. You could have gone up for prayer after the service.”

“There was a prayer team?”

“Yes,” I said, “but I think what you really wanted was a Baptist experience, so you need to go to a Baptist church.”

As he paused to contemplate that, I ended our conversation. “I’m sorry you were offended.”

What I should have said was, “I’m sorry we offended you.” I should have asked his name. I should have offered to pray. I should have taken time to learn his underlying angst.

But I didn’t. I just wanted to go home. Maybe I’m one of the reasons our church isn’t as friendly as it once was.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Bogged Down Reading the Bible?

10 Essential Bible Reading Tips, from Peter DeHaan

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Christian Living

Would you Skip Church to Help a Homeless Person?

Seek to Do Good on Sunday

Last Sunday I shared my experiences in dealing with homeless people as I went to work. But a job change removed me from that urban setting and ended my encounters with the homeless.

However, changing churches brought me back there every Sunday and some days in between.

Homeless people flocked to our church, and we sought to treat them as Jesus would. Collectively and individually, we tried various means to help the area’s homeless. Along the way, we had some epic fails, but we also enjoyed some successes, too.

Many homeless people show up on Sunday to worship God with us. As one man explained: “You don’t care how we’re dressed—or even if we smell a bit.” Other homeless people, however, position themselves outside, seeking a handout.

Even when security chases them away and they retreat across the street, there’s still a good chance they’ll achieve their objective before the morning is over.

All the homeless in the area know they can get three meals a day at the local mission, with little expected in return. However, most non-homeless don’t know that. I do.

Although I sometimes buy a meal for people I know, here’s how our conversations typically go:

“Hey, buddy. Can you help me out with some food? I’m haven’t eaten in a couple days.”

“You know, the mission’s only a couple blocks away. They’ll be happy to provide you with a balanced meal.”

“No way! It’s not safe there.”

“I used to volunteer at the mission and ate there over a hundred times. I never saw any problems. I think it’s very safe.”

“Ah…well…it’s too late for me to make it there for lunch.”

“I have good news. On Sunday they serve lunch later so people can go to church first. You have plenty of time.”

At that point, they either give up or make some snide comment about my faith or parentage.

I’ve had this conversation with one particular man many times. Once, it happened twice on the same Sunday. He doesn’t need to beg, but it’s all he knows.

Still, if I sense there’s a true need that can’t be met elsewhere, I’m willing to help. I’ve even missed church a few times to do so. I think that’s what Jesus prefers.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Christian Living

Why I Love Spring

My Favorite Season

Spring is my favorite time of year. And with this year’s winter being longer, colder, and snowier than most, the promise of spring is even more welcomed. Here’s why I love spring.

I won’t say I hibernate during winter, but it is a season when I hunker down; my goal is survival. I’m not sure if it’s the limited daylight, colder temperatures, or white precipitation, but something about winter wears me down.

Winter is a season when I attempt to maintain the status quo. It’s an ill-advised time to take on new projects or pursue grand initiatives.

Then as the snow melts, I figuratively emerge, groggy-eyed from my self-imposed cave—that is, the sanctuary of my home. Warmer temperatures beckon.

Melting snow reveals brown grass, soon reborn to glorious green. Flowers bloom with forgotten color and tree buds burst forth in praise.

With refound ambition I anticipate what lies ahead; with renewed focus my plans give way to action.

Spring is a grand time. I wish it could be spring year round, but without the bleakness of winter standing in contrast, I fear I’d soon forget the wonder of springtime. So I accept winter as a precursor of what follows.

To me, spring is the antithesis of winter; it’s a great time to be alive. Spring signals new life, opportunities, and a fresh start. Spring also reminds me of God and the new life, opportunities, and fresh start he offers. This is why I love spring.

Thank you God for spring.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Follow Jesus’ Example to Help Others

“Can You Spare Some Change?”

For years, I’d drive to my urban office. After parking my car, the area’s homeless would often accost me. My goal was avoidance. And when that didn’t work, to minimize contact. I didn’t want to help others.

“Can you spare some change?”

I’d shake my head as I made a beeline to the safety of my work. Sometimes, they’d follow.

“It’s for food,” they’d say when I’d scowl at the brown paper bag in their hand or withdraw from the stench of alcohol or body odor.

“I don’t have any money.” On some days, that was true, but most times, it was a lie. I’d have a couple bucks—and I planned to keep it for myself. Besides, I didn’t want to enable their habit or perpetuate their lifestyle.

Help Others in Need

But one day, I felt the disapproval of Jesus. Surely, he would not shrink away. Surely, he would engage. If I was truly his follower, I had to do the same. I had to help others in need.

So, I began offering to buy them a meal at the local MacDonald’s. Usually—for various lame reasons—that wasn’t to their liking. Only once did someone accept my offer. I bought his meal, wished him a good day, and retreated with a smile.

My smug satisfaction, however, didn’t last long when I realized I hadn’t considered him as a person. I met his request, but likely didn’t provide what he needed. I could have sat with him, listened to his story, even asked his name. I should have, but didn’t.

In the years that followed, I attempted to do better. Desiring to be a good steward of the money God gave me, I’d talk with them, seeking to distinguish need from greed, to help when needed, while not letting them take advantage of me.

I did some foolish things along the way: giving rides to questionable characters, flashing my wallet, and giving out my phone number. Thankfully, God kept me safe from my naiveté. Usually their con fell apart as I pressed into their story.

But occasionally it didn’t, and I’d buy a meal, a bus ticket, or a bag of groceries. Twice, I couldn’t escape their fast-talking hustle, handing over money just to get them out of my car.

They accepted my pittance because my probing was wearing them down and they knew it was the best they could do.

Even with the care I took, I suspect most of the time, they took advantage of me. Yet I did my best to exercise good judgement, so I’m okay if a few of them conned me.

However, the counterpart to being a good steward of the money God has provided is to give to anyone who asks.

It’s a balance I haven’t figured out yet, but I’ll never stop trying.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Bogged Down Reading the Bible?

10 Essential Bible Reading Tips, from Peter DeHaan

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Serving God, College, and Student Loans

Consider the Real Prerequisites for Obeying God

I once met a guy who wanted to work in broadcasting. So he went to college. In his four-year degree, taking some forty classes, guess how many applied to broadcasting? Just three.

While having secondary benefit, his other three dozen plus classes were not preparing him for the job he sought, but they did take time and waste money.

In my post “Why I’m Against Seminary Training,” I asserted that most people don’t need to go to seminary before they become a minister or missionary.

Most of the classes they endure are secondary, taking time that could be used to serve and costing money that could be better spent. The result is often student loans.

I’ve talked to many twenty-somethings who desire to give God a life of service, taking a job that may not pay much to do something that gives much, to engage in spiritually fulfilling work with lasting impact. There’s one roadblock: student loans.

Their desired job won’t pay enough to cover their indebtedness, so they must take a higher paying job they don’t want and won’t enjoy so they can pay off their debt.

Some organizations require post-graduate degrees from seminary or Bible college as a prerequisite. My soul groans when I hear their expectations.

A few of those classes may have direct application, but most just amass knowledge with little practical use.

When it comes to serving God in a ministry of some sort, debt is a deterrent, and college education is false preparation.

What I think God wants is spiritually mature followers of Jesus, who have an intimate relationship with God the Father, and know how to follow the Holy Spirit.

That is the real prerequisite, and it isn’t taught in college.

Align your life with God and he will work out the rest. That’s the best preparation for serving him.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Bogged Down Reading the Bible?

10 Essential Bible Reading Tips, from Peter DeHaan

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Reading the Bible with Preconceived Notions

Do We Read the Bible with Preconceived Notions?

Last Sunday I challenged us to examine our faith practices, using the Bible as a foundation to confirm or refute the things we do in church (and in life).

This way, we can consider our traditions and remove those that don’t withstand biblical scrutiny.

The problem is, we often justify our spiritual practices because we read the Bible through the very lens formed by those same practices. That is, we tend to only see what conforms to what we do, and we ignore the rest.

Our preconceived notions seeks justification—and we find it.

For example, not many of us—I hope none of us—handle snakes as part of our religious services, yet those that do have a verse to support it.

The same approach validates polygamy as a religious practice. The list goes on. If we try hard enough, we can prooftext almost anything.

Furthermore, it’s human nature to focus on verses that support our actions and beliefs, while we skim or skip passages that challenge them. We desire biblical confirmation and avoid biblical confrontation.

To combat this, I strive to do the opposite, skimming the verses I like and carefully considering the passages I don’t: the ones that confuse me or oppose my point of view.

I hope the result is a more holistic understanding of biblical Christianity, and I know it makes me more accepting of different Christian practices.

Join me in reading the Bible, not for self-validation, but to grasp a grander comprehension of God and how to best follow him.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Bogged Down Reading the Bible?

10 Essential Bible Reading Tips, from Peter DeHaan

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Explore Our Faith Practices

Why Do We Do What We Do?

I have a compulsion that irritates people, especially in religious circles. I ask, “Why?” I need to know why we do the things we do. What reason is behind them? Is there a biblical justification?

Or is it a manmade tradition that has become meaningless ritual?

For example, in 52 Churches, I witnessed many services that began by lighting two candles. I’m still trying to figure this one out. Why do they light candles in the first place? Is there biblical support for it? And why two?

Three would represent the Trinity, but two? If there’s a symbolic reason for two – or even lighting candles for that matter—then we need to know what it is so we can celebrate it. Else we should eliminate it as a practice without purpose.

Candles and the number two, however, are minor considerations. Whether or not we light two candles is of little consequence—as long as we don’t attach spiritual significance to it.

However, there are bigger issues, much bigger issues, that have permeated our faith practices.

Let me be bold and assert we’ve messed up most of what we do, elevating tradition over biblical command.

Consider the process of becoming a Christian. This is rife with manmade ideas that aren’t in the Bible. Yet many have elevated these processes as nonnegotiable faith requirements, superseding what Jesus taught.

I think that makes them heresy. Yes, I said many churches practice heresy. I talk about this in How Big Is Your Tent?

So you know I’m not making this up, the origins of our religious ways are researched in the mind-blowing book, Pagan Christianity? by Frank Viola and George Barna.

So many of our practices are not rooted in scripture and several emanate from secular culture; that is, their origin is pagan.

I encourage you to boldly examine your faith practices. Eliminate all that lack biblical support. What remains will be a purer, more God-honoring spirituality.

Join me in asking, “Why?”

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Bogged Down Reading the Bible?

10 Essential Bible Reading Tips, from Peter DeHaan

Get the Bible Reading Tip Sheet: “10 Tips to Turn Bible Reading from Drudgery to Delight.”

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When Will Winter End?

Always Winter and Never Christmas

In C. S. Lewis’s classic book The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the land of Narnia is under duress: it is always winter and never Christmas. As winter drags on this year, I feel the same way.

In Michigan, we enjoy all four seasons and in about equal proportions. According to the calendar, winter lasts ninety days. However, this year our winter weather started sooner, piled snow deeper, inflicted frigid temperatures, and lasted longer.

Everyone I talk to is anxious for spring. Even people who claim winter as their favorite season, look forward to warmer weather.

A couple weeks ago enough snow melted to where our deck was bare (aided by my snow shovel—an act of desperation on my part). On Facebook, I asked about setting out our patio furniture.

The answer was “no.” They were right, of course, and I was rushing spring. Winter will remain with us a while longer, causing us to ask, “When will winder end?”

Yet as I wait for spring to arrive, I focus on the future and forget the present. In some ways, I’ve placed my life on hold, squandering today as I wait for tomorrow. I need to stop doing that.

On Tuesday it snowed some more. Today the temperature is above freezing. I’m declaring an end to winter. And even if that doesn’t happen, I won’t waste another day waiting for something better to come along.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Bogged Down Reading the Bible?

10 Essential Bible Reading Tips, from Peter DeHaan

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How Should We Understand Jihad?

In further contemplating last week’s post about being spiritually militant—of fighting evil in the spiritual realm—the word jihad comes to mind. Jihad, originating from Islam, has some specific meanings and one that is more general:

  • A Muslim holy war or spiritual struggle against infidels in defense of the Islamic faith.
  • In Islam, the personal struggle of the individual believer against evil and persecution.
  • In Islam, an individual’s striving for spiritual self-perfection.
  • A crusade in support of a cause; any vigorous, emotional crusade for an idea or principle.

In a literal sense, the idea of a holy war repels me.

The various inquisitions and crusades, primarily during the Middle Ages, provide sufficient evidence to convince us that a physical battle to root out heresy or forcibly promote a certain religious perspective is never a good idea.

However, in a supernatural sense, a holy war should be pursued. As Paul says in the Bible, this isn’t a fight against people but “against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms,” for which we need spiritual armor.

From this stems my idea of being spiritually militant. This is one way to understand and embrace jihad in a broader sense.

Also intriguing is the third definition of “striving for spiritual self-perfection,” but we must proceed carefully.

Though we should desire to more fully be like Jesus, we can’t achieve this on our own; we cannot earn our right standing with God through our own efforts.

Instead, we work with him, through his Holy Spirit, to move towards what he would have us to become. This is also an understanding of jihad that I can embrace.

Because of the likelihood of being misunderstood, we must be careful in using the word jihad. However, these are two ways we can embrace jihad as a follower of Jesus.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Bogged Down Reading the Bible?

10 Essential Bible Reading Tips, from Peter DeHaan

Get the Bible Reading Tip Sheet: “10 Tips to Turn Bible Reading from Drudgery to Delight.”

​Enter your info and receive the free Bible Reading Tip Sheet and be added to Peter’s email list.