Ten Prescriptions For A Somewhat Sick Church

By Lars B. Dunberg

Do you ever ask yourself: could my church function in a healthier way? There is a remedy for today’s ailing church body. Read about it in Ten Prescriptions for a Somewhat Sick Church. Order one copy to start with, or be brave and order a few more for your leadership team or the cell group leaders in your church. You will be challenged and encouraged.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mountainbrook Press
• Release date: Mar 12, 2014
• ISBN: 9781941113073

Book preview

TEN PRESCRIPTIONS

for a somewhat sick church

Lars B. Dunberg

Ten Prescriptions for a Somewhat Sick Church

By Lars B. Dunberg

Published by Mountainbrook Press, P.O. Box 50890, Colorado Springs 80949, Colorado

www.mountainbrookpress.com

Smashwords Edition

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, International Version NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.TM Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

ISBN 978-1-994113-02-8

Copyright 2014 by Lars B. Dunberg. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Published in the United States by Mountainbrook Press

Cover design: Ron Adair

Interior Design: Jörgen Edelgård

Printed in the United States of America 2014 – First Mountainbrook Press Edition

Visit Mountainbrook Press website from your mobile phone by scanning the code below

This book is dedicated to an anonymous couple in Florida that has meant so much to me over the past decade and who, unbeknownst to them, gave me the first idea for this book. Lars B. Dunberg

CONTENTS

Foreword

Introduction

So... What Is the Problem?

Disease One: Dysfunctional Conscience

Prescription: Follow Christ’s first instructions

Disease Two: Jesus Deficiency

Prescription: Fall in love with Jesus

Disease Three: Fellowship Detachment

Prescription: Be part of the new building

Disease Four: Spiritual Malnutrition

Prescription: Eat the food provided

Disease Five: Soul Stress

Prescription: Be refreshed by God’s spirit

Disease Six: Barrenness

Prescription: Multiply followers

Disease Seven: Performance-itis

Prescription: Integrated awe, joy and celebration

Disease Eight: Spiritual Oxygen Deprivation

Prescription: Begin using God’s breathing machine

Disease Nine: Selfishness Chills

Prescription: Recognizing that it’s all about him

Disease Ten: Property-itis

Prescription: Change your perspective

Bibliography

FOREWORD

"When I come to heaven, I believe the first thing Jesus will say is, ‘Why did you not learn to do church right?’"

Church member in Florida, 2010

As the leader of a missionary organization, I visit different churches almost every weekend. I am welcomed into homes of believers several times a week, nowadays mostly in the USA, but also around the world. No matter where I am, within minutes, without exception, the subject moves to the local church.

Lars, can we talk to you? they say. We have been going to the same church for many years. Lately it has changed so much. We don’t feel at home.

We are trying so many new churches, but somehow we don’t fit in anymore.

Yesterday I went to church to meet God, but all I heard was words, words, words.

Lars, we are staying home most Sundays these days. We sit down, read the Scriptures, sing a bit and pray...we simply don’t miss church anymore.

I am so lonely, so I went to church, but no one talked to me!

In the last few years endless books have been written on this subject. I believe I have read most of them. The solutions offered tend to be programmatic. Go from the big church to a small church. Go from a medium size church to a home group. Meet in a school and sell your building. All of those steps are practical, and they may ease certain symptoms of what I feel are the greater diseases plaguing the church, but they are also creating new symptoms. A big church with many people who don’t talk to each other is no different than a cell group where few people don’t talk to each other. This book tries to deal with the medicine needed not just to soothe the church’s pangs, but to cure its underlying diseases.

Do you remember the old days of cameras with actual film in them? We always had to hold up the negative film to the light to see what the positive picture would look like.

This book will include some negative to the light thinking, but the outcome will be positive – I promise. Jesus Christ works through his church. He has no plan B. But if the church is not well, it is hard for him to use his church as he intended.

When we are not feeling well we go to the clinic, the doctor, or the hospital, often worried what disease our symptoms will reveal. In all cases we hope there is a simple cure. Sometimes that is so, but in many cases it takes intense treatment, perhaps radiation, medication or surgery. Initially it may get a lot worse before it can get better.

Having traveled the world for the past forty years, visited and spoken in churches of every possible and impossible denomination, talked with pastors, church leaders, members and denominational leaders, I can only come to one conclusion. The church around the world is somewhat sick; in desperate need of a diagnosis and of the right kind of medication for its problems.

None of this may apply to your church. Hallelujah! You may not even need to read any further. Or perhaps you will, so you can pray for each church that is suffering with any of the ailments mentioned here – simply pray that God will show up and do his abundant work!

A healthy church is an awesome tool in the hands of the Lord. If the gospel is going to be preached to all nations before Christ returns, it will happen within and through a healthy church.

This book is not written for theologians – perhaps not even for pastors. It is written for the person in the pew. It is time for the silent pew fillers to come to life. I am calling for a Believers’ Revolution! Let’s make church what Jesus wants it to be. If church attenders begin to read this book, and act on its message, I believe there may be a few pastors joining in as well!

Colorado Springs January 2014

Lars B. Dunberg

INTRODUCTION

Shelley and Angela were chatting in the ladies’ room at the church as they got ready to go on the stage as part of the worship team that Sunday morning. The parking lot was already jam-packed as over a thousand cars tried to find a parking spot -even for the early service.

While they checked their outfits and make-up, they quietly hummed their part for the new worship song their worship leader had written that week to fit the message for the weekend.

Shelley casually turned to Angela and whispered, I hope both of them won’t be here at the same service this morning.

Both of whom? Angela whispered back.

Well ... I slept with two different guys from the Singles group this past week, and I like them both!

Angela chuckled. Wow, that’s awesome. If they are in there, point them out to me when the pastor prays, so I can check them out for you!

Giggling, they quickly slipped out the door and onto the stage as the band played the introduction to Holy, Holy, Holy.

That same morning three of the pastors at the same church were having an early coffee brought in the lead pastor’s study.

Why is Starbucks so great first thing in the morning? laughed pastor Randy as he sipped his coffee, while pastor George was munching his blueberry muffin, followed by some deep and loud burps.

You’d better not have your clip mike on, George, commented Randy and looked over to the lead pastor, Kenneth Olson. Ken! You haven’t touched your coffee! Something bothering you?

Ken sighed, took a sip, and looked at the other two. Can I tell you something? I am really struggling with an issue. Last Thursday there was an elders’ meeting. As you know, I am always there.

You wouldn’t want to miss what those guys are saying about you, would you? laughed Pastor George.

That’s exactly the point, continued Ken. Lately I have been praying about being led by God’s Spirit in my daily ministry. You know who I am talking about, right? The third guy in the Trinity we don’t talk much about anymore? Anyway, last Thursday afternoon, God spoke so clearly to me. He told me to go to a place where our members probably don’t go very often, because he wanted me to meet someone there. He kept pestering me all day. He didn’t leave me alone!

Well? Randy asked, with gentle skepticism. Where do you think he was telling you to go?

He wanted me to go down to the Sunset Bar, downtown!

Come on, you can’t be serious? George said. No believer in their right mind, let alone a pastor, would even open the door to that horrible place!

Exactly! continued Ken. "But where do you think Jesus would be if he showed up in town? Where the sinners are! The Lord kept on telling me to go, until I finally took the car and headed toward downtown. Then I came to my senses. Could you imagine what could have happened? I would step out of the bar, and one of our members would just happen to be right outside and recognize me. Then that person calls one of the elders, asking, ‘Was Pastor Ken at the elders’ meeting last night?’ ‘No, he didn’t actually show ... he was probably called to the hospital or something urgent.’ ‘Well, I just saw him come out of the Sunset Bar last night! And I’m not sure if he was sober!’

The three men looked at one another, pondering what Ken had said. After a moment, he continued.

So to end on a sad note, I believe I disobeyed the Spirit of God to ensure I didn’t embarrass the elders. No bad situation here! Except, of course, that you have a lead pastor who is hurting because he grieved God’s Holy Spirit. It is pretty hard to preach with any conviction after that. Now I will never know who God wanted me to meet, after he urged me so powerfully to go there!

Then to make it worse, Pastor Ken went on, I called one of my best friends, you know, Pastor Kevin in Atlanta, just to get some counseling. You wouldn’t believe what he told me!

He is such a good guy, responded Pastor George. So, what did he tell you?

Kevin told me that he’s been dealing with this kind of situation for years. He said he’s not really leading that church in Atlanta – the rich gatekeepers are the ones who are actually in charge. They won’t let him teach anything challenging; anything that would actually change the world or their city. They believe that church is a place we go each Sunday to sit and enjoy and not be bothered by other peoples’ problems. Kevin said he’d lose his job immediately if he did what I almost did – actually tried to follow Jesus’ words literally or be led by the Spirit. He said I should just lay low, show up on time, drink my coffee, and walk the line to ensure I’ll have my paycheck.

About the same time, a young couple with three small children walked into the church lobby looking a bit bewildered. They bumped into an older couple who looked like they had been in the church since its beginning, and the young man carefully asked them, We’re new in town, we actually moved in two days ago, last Friday. Seeing the church is so close to where we live we thought we would check it out.

Of course, smiled the mature lady, and you are so welcome. I will take you and your kids down to the nursery. As the women and children disappeared down the hallway, the men were left alone. After an awkward male silence, the younger one carefully turned to the elderly man and said, I take it you have been here for a while. Can I ask you some questions?

Sure! By the way, my name is Steve Rollier, and I am one of the founding members. Been here some 25 years. What would you like to know?

Thanks, the younger man replied gratefully. I’m Joe and my wife’s name is Sally. We just moved here from a very small town, where everyone knows each other. We’ve attended a Bible church since we were married. What kind of church is this?

This is a wide open church, my friend, Steve said. You are welcome here as a seeker and as a believer. People can come and check out Christianity here and feel very comfortable and sooner or later they like it and stay. It’s like buying a new car, you know? You kick the tires until you find the car you really like. You’re going to love it here.

That sounds good, said Joe. Just a few more questions, if you don’t mind ... Do you study the Bible together or pray together? In our church we used to do that in groups during the service after we had read the Word together.

Well, Joe, we used to do that a long time ago too, but with three services we have to have the time pretty organized, so people are encouraged to pray and read the Bible at home. We worship, take offerings and the pastor gives a great message, where everyone feels included!

Joe looked at the older man quizzically. I’m not against people feeling comfortable, but... if everybody always feels included, how do people find Jesus? How do they repent of sin and understand that he is their only hope?

Well, Joe, we believe they can find him without all that repentance stuff! People come here seeking for some meaning in life. They find that when they add Jesus to their lifestyle things make more sense! You will meet many couples like that here, and they are simply wonderful folks.

Joe said goodbye to Steve and slowly found his way to the nursery to locate his wife. As he processed what he had just heard, he felt rather uncomfortable.

As the doors slowly closed to the sanctuary and the worship team began singing Holy, Holy, Holy, two Harley Davidson motorcycles parked right across from the front doors, and two gum-chewing bikers stepped in. The men were wearing white, soiled tank tops and leather vests with chains dangling down.

Their biceps were huge and covered in massive tattoos with skulls and other gory details. They chewed so heavily on their chewing gum, you would think gum had just been invented. One of them literally grabbed hold of one of the ushers.

Is this a Jesus church? the biker asked, pressing his face near to the usher’s and speaking roughly.

Well, y-y-yes, we believe in Jesus, the usher stammered.

The biker pulled a tattered paperback New Testament from his inside pocket. The covers were half torn off, and were placarded with grease marks and cigarette burns. Opening the New Testament he first stuck his finger right in a portion of the gospels, and then lifted the same finger, poking the usher in the chest.

Dude, he said to the usher in a loud, coarse voice. I want to know if this really is a Jesus church! I am just out of the slammer, man, and there was this preacher, a hell of a guy, who came and explained this book to me. He talked about Jesus as his best friend. He told me he is alive. I read this book he gave me. Actually, I have already read it nine times in the last few weeks. Jesus is quite a guy! He made the blind see and the deaf hear. He walks on water, man! He even forgave me for the worst crimes I ever committed. Hey, man, what bad stuff did you do to be forgiven?

Well, I don’t know, I am not sure I know him quite like that...

You’re weird, man! Last night I read the book again. Jesus even raised a man from the dead. I tell you, that preacher man turned me into a Jesus freak! Now I am here to see you do what Jesus did! If this is a Jesus church, that is! Well? Is it?

Umm, ahh, said the usher in a shaky voice, waiting for the fist to land in his face any minute...you are taking the Bible very literally, you see! We can’t do all those things! We just believe them, sort of! These were the things Jesus did a long time ago and we tell and remind each other of those stories and they make us feel good.

No real Jesus stuff? growled the other biker. Where can we find a Jesus church that’s for real?

SO...WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?

So many books have been written about the Church lately. I counted over 100 books in my library alone dealing with the subject. Books like UnChristian, Re-churching the Unchurched, Pagan Christianity, Death of the Church, Nine Marks of a Healthy Church, Becoming a Healthy Church, The Upside Down Church, A Churchless Faith, They Like Jesus but Not the Church and Why Nobody Learns Much of Anything at Church: And How to Fix It, just to mention a few.

I could quote from these good and helpful books endlessly, but the purpose of my book is to deal with some of those same issues in a different light. That said, there are two of these books that have been especially helpful to me as I thought through these very real issues, and I want to share just a few comments from each.

Quitting Church

Julia Duin is an accomplished writer and journalist with more than 25 years full-time experience in journalism. More than 14 of those years were spent at The Washington Times, beginning in 1995. She has written five books, and many magazine articles.

Recently, Julia has written a soul-searching book called Quitting Church with the subtitle Why the Faithful Are Fleeing and What to Do About It. She tells us how church attendance has dropped significantly and why. Church is becoming irrelevant to people’s needs. The church has also become the loneliest place instead of the place where community, care and fellowship flourishes. For example, there are almost 90 million single parents who are the heads of a little over half of American households. 50 million of those have never been married. The church seems to focus more on the traditional nuclear family, or conducting ministries to childless singles, but not to the singles with families who make up 25 percent of the population.

Another point she makes is that the teaching has become very shallow. The church needs to raise the bar rather than lowering it further. She quotes Chuck Colson as saying, What’s offered in church is just getting dumbed down more and more. Evangelicals are in danger of amusing ourselves to death. Music is important in the life of the church and can inspire us to focus on Christ. But it cannot take the place of solid teaching.

Ms. Duin also quotes Richard Kim, an Episcopal-turned-Anglican priest in Detroit, who states his view of the quality of the church in some succinct phrases: The church is irrelevant, boring and powerless. The gospel is not preached, and where it is preached, it is usually in philosophical blah-blah language, void of the power of God.

She also identifies the loneliest person in church - the pastor – who has nowhere to run with his problems. Where do they dare to go when they are tempted or have fallen in sin? In a survey a few years ago, 61 percent of pastors mentioned they had few close friends. Many mentioned that they don’t feel appreciated.

The pastors are also at times out of touch with reality as pertains to their congregations. A group of pastors were asked about how many members in their congregations place