Pastor Paul Chappell | The Pastor's Perspective

Indulgences Return. Really?

Paul Chappell — Thu, 17 May 2012 04:30:13 +0000

I recently came across a New York Times article that floored me. The article described how the Catholic church has reinstituted the distribution of indulgences. I learned about indulgences in high school history (when we covered the middle ages and the Reformation), but I never thought I’d see them in my lifetime.

Before their sale was forbidden in 1563 (and perhaps covertly sold afterward), indulgences were marketed by the Catholic church. Purchasers were promised that, for a set amount of money, they could pre-absolve sins they were planning to commit in the coming days. The Sisteen Chapel was actually constructed using money largely collected through indulgence sales.

One of the earliest voices to gain attention as he preached against this unbiblical practice was John Huss. I well remember standing in the home of Huss in Constance, Germany, a few years ago. There, I thanked the Lord for this courageous man who was willing to preach the truth in a time of great darkness. Huss was burned at the stake in 1415 for his “heresy” against the Catholic church.

The indulgences offered today (reintroduced in 2000 by Pope John Paul II) are little different than those Huss (and many others) preached against. You cannot outright “buy” an indulgence today, but you can obtain them by good deeds—such as donating money to the church. The way they absolve sin is reportedly adjusted from the 1500s, but the similarity is obvious—obvious enough that they bear the same name.

When questioned as to why the church is bringing back indulgences, Bishop Nicholas A. DiMarzio of Brooklyn answered, “Because there is sin in the world.” Considering the Sisteen Chapel as well as some tremendous legal fees faced by the Catholic church, I can conceive there may be another reason indulgences are once again being offered.

But regardless of the motives behind this move, the Roman Catholic church is promoting a doctrine that takes away from the efficacy of Christ’s blood. First Peter 1:18–19 plainly teaches that forgiveness can never be purchased with silver and gold; our sin was already paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Of course, it’s not just the Catholic church that teaches a works salvation. It is embedded in the hearts of men to want to earn salvation. Religious groups all around the world capitalize on this pride and, frankly, profit from it—but to the spiritual and eternal demise of human souls.

May God raise up more men like John Huss who will preach the powerful Gospel of Christ—regardless of the current political or religious trends.

And may God enable us to reach the lost with the precious message of salvation. Their sins are already paid for; eternal life is already purchased and offered as a free gift.

Catholic-Muslim Summit

Stop Seeking Acceptance (You Already Have It)

Paul Chappell — Sat, 12 May 2012 12:50:26 +0000

Below is another preview from the book I am currently writing about motivations for ministry. Once again, I’m glad to hear your feedback or suggestions!

You couldn’t be any more loved by God than you are right now. Does that statement strike a nerve of unrest with you? It’s absolutely true.

We all love affirmation. We all desire significance and recognition. We all benefit from being encouraged by others. And yet, this silent struggle for approval can often become an over-riding motivation that keeps us on an unpredictable roller coaster of insecurity and instability.

In truth, we crave the acceptance and approval of men, but we need it from God. We long to know we matter to others, but we forget how much we matter to Him. We desire approval and favor of our peers, but we lose sight of the approval and favor we already have in Christ. While we tend to seek these things from men, ultimately, God is the only one in whom we can find our deepest desires completely fulfilled!

Satan is quick to take advantage of our need for acceptance and affirmation. He either enlarges our pride and consumes us with narcissism and self-promotion. Or he reminds us of our failures and that we are insufficient and undeserving (which we are). In both extremes, Satan encourages us to indulge the flesh’s craving for acceptance. It is easy to get caught in his trap of being motivated by the approval of others.

Motivated by Grace

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.—Ephesians 1:6

Through Ephesians 1, however, God graciously reminds us, “I love you and accept you through My Son, Jesus.” Our worth is based on our birth. If you’ve been born again, you don’t have anything to prove. You can’t be any more loved than you are right now by the Lord Jesus Christ. Nothing you could do would cause Him to love you more or less. He loves you and accepts you fully and unconditionally. That’s what grace is all about!

When God’s grace, as opposed to our need for acceptance, becomes our motivator for service, everything changes. We serve because we are accepted rather than to gain acceptance—and it makes all the difference in the world.

Serving Because I’m Already Accepted

Frankly, there have been times over the years when I was motivated, in part, by finding acceptance and approval from others. I know from experience that this is a futile motivation that is never wholly fulfilled. The most satisfying breakthroughs in my walk with God and my ministry for Him have come when He reminded me that I’m free to serve because I’m already accepted, not because I need to gain acceptance.

In truth, the tendency to serve for others’ approval is a lifelong battle. And learning to rest in our acceptance in Christ is a lifelong growth process.

There were three major seasons and three vital areas early in my ministry that the Lord taught me to serve Him out of the joy of knowing I am accepted rather than for the desire to become accepted. These were difficult moments—times when God wrenched impure motives out of my hands and replaced them with purer aims.

The affirmation of mentors

First, one of the strongest mentors in my life left the ministry under a cloud. This was a man from whom I longed for acceptance and approval. I often called him to report what God was doing in my life and ministry—hoping he would be pleased. But when he left the ministry, I remember crying myself to sleep every night for six weeks.

For months, I wrestled with my motives. In this time of heartbreaking disappointment, I found I had lost my desire to press forward—I didn’t want to preach, win souls, serve, or grow. Suddenly, the motivation that had driven me for years was stripped away. It was almost like none of it mattered anymore.

But in His grace, God showed me that it did all still matter. It simply mattered for higher reasons! The Lord taught me during that time that I needed to die to self. He convicted me that affirmation and ego needs are indicators of a self-driven person. He called me away from those impure motives and settled my spirit in His unchanging acceptance.

The affirmation of peers

When our family first moved to Lancaster, the church was running less than twenty. In those early days, other pastors would sometimes call to tell me they were praying for us and ask how it was going. I was thankful for these godly friends, and I longed to give them good reports.

As God began to bless the ministry, I remember the thrill of sharing each new phase of growth—“We had thirty in church this Sunday!” And a few months later, “We filled the middle section of pews!” My friends would rejoice with me in the growth God was giving, and I was thankful for their prayers and support.

After a number of years, however, a strange shift took place. As I reported new growth and attendance numbers—numbers nearing the attendance of the pastors who were my friends—the response became less enthusiastic. What had been an excited “Really? That’s awesome, brother!” became a short “Glad to hear it.” Then, as our attendance surpassed others, the calls became less frequent. Eventually, they halted altogether.

Over time, men who once had invited me to preach and fellowship with them grew silent and disinterested. Those from whom I wanted acceptance and affirmation were no longer giving it. And frankly, this hurt. I had looked to these partners in ministry for encouragement and support, and for whatever reason, our friendships grew distant, and in some cases even hurtful.

Through all of this, the Lord again said, “I’m teaching you to find your acceptance in Me alone. You serve, not to seek acceptance, but because you are already accepted—in Me!”

The affirmation of those I served

For many years in ministry, God gave me a sort of “honeymoon” experience. As people came to Christ and lives were changed, the church came alive with a loving and dynamic spirit. I loved our church family, and they loved me. That’s how it should be, but for me, this was often a motivator. Being accepted by the church family was a wonderfully encouraging and affirming experience. The security of this strong and loving relationship is a blessing, but it should not be a motivation.

This unhealthy motivation didn’t reveal itself until the 1990s when a few people in our church let me know—in no uncertain terms—that they were unhappy with me. Their anger cut me to the core, and I grieved deeply from it. Yet, through the tears the Lord taught me, “It’s not about who accepts you; it’s about Who already accepted you.”

These were important (and painful) lessons—and the Lord is still teaching me in all of these areas.

As you serve the Lord in your own place, ask Him to reveal to you areas in which you’re seeking for the affirmation and approval of others. In Christ, we have all the acceptance we need. But sometimes we miss the joy of basking in His acceptance because we are preoccupied in grasping for the acceptance of other people.

The Subversion of Marriage

Paul Chappell — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:57:22 +0000

News sources are buzzing with President Barack Obama’s announcement from yesterday: “At a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me, personally, it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married.” (Read CNN article here.)

The first sitting president to take such a stance, Mr. Obama has sided with the activists, rather than with the people who have elected him.

Gay marriage supporters publicly frame the topic so as to make it appear an issue of discrimination and equality. They talk like the issue was long ago settled and that the modern world of thinking people has moved past even the discussion of such petty “injustices.”

In reality, however, when it comes to state-by-state voting on constitutional amendments, traditional marriage gets wide popular support in the poll booths. So far, thirty states have already voted in favor of such amendments. Legalization of same-sex marriage is only achieved by court ruling and legislative action, not by voter referendums.

But marriage isn’t up for popular vote or popular definition. God defined marriage when He created it, and it isn’t for the government, the courts, the politicians, or the people to define.

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.—Genesis 2:24

Simply put, our president was wrong in his statements regarding marriage. God defines marriage—we don’t.

I am grieved to hear a steady drumbeat of activists who are working to change the public’s mindset. But even if our leaders do gain a majority following in this issue, God’s Word remains unchanged. Subverting God’s design of the institution of marriage can only bring damage—to our families, our children, and our nation.

We must pray with renewed fervency for revival in our country. And we must lovingly reach out to every person in our communities with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Plow Is Calling

Paul Chappell — Wed, 09 May 2012 21:55:54 +0000

This morning I challenged the seventeenth graduating class of West Coast Baptist College just moments before their commencement exercises began with a simple thought:

The minute you leave, put your hand to the plow and practice what you have learned.

Our students have spent four years learning—both in classrooms and through hands-on experience—how to serve as diligent laborers in the harvest. They have labored alongside our church family, and they are leaving their studies with a vision to do something great for God.

Yet the ministry requires more than a vision. It requires work.

Jesus said that one who would follow Him as a disciple was committing to “put his hand to the plough” (Luke 9:62).

Paul often referred to the labor of ministry. In the epistles of 1 and 2 Timothy alone, he directly referred to the “work” involved in ministry no less than six times.

Truly, the ministry is labor. Yes, it is rewarding labor; yes, it is joyous labor; yes, it is fulfilling labor. But the benefits don’t come through shortcuts.

Every man or woman who would engage in ministry must do it with a commitment to labor—to roll up their sleeves and personally involve themselves in gathering the harvest.

Please pray for this 2012 graduating class of West Coast Baptist College as they enter the harvest field as diligent laborers. I’m thankful for and am praying for each of them, and I’m looking forward to seeing the Lord use them in His work.

Growth Points 015: How to Help People Who Don’t Want to Be Helped

Paul Chappell — Tue, 08 May 2012 00:13:02 +0000

(If you cannot see this video in your RSS reader or email, you can watch it here.)

As a spiritual leader, you have probably discovered that not everyone who needs your help comes to you for it.

When it comes to receiving counsel and direction, I’ve noticed three categories of people:

Those who come to me before a problem surfaces and ask me if I see areas in their lives that could be strengthened or need to be addressed.
Those who discover a need for help through a trial or discomfort and then come and ask for counsel.
Those who are going through a problem or turmoil, but either don’t sense their need or don’t ask for help.

So what do you do as a spiritual leader when you see a person in your care who is struggling but isn’t coming to you for help?

In this week’s Growth Points video, I suggest a few responses.

Make sure you get all future Growth Points videos by subscribing to the Spiritual Leadership Podcast.

Texting for Grown-Ups

Paul Chappell — Fri, 04 May 2012 12:31:59 +0000

Several weeks ago, I was privileged to lead a man to the Lord for whom I had been praying for over six months. That was on a Sunday afternoon. A couple of days later, I was preaching out of state and two time zones away. I woke up early with this man on my mind, and I texted him a Scripture verse.

Less than two minutes later, I received a response. He and his wife had just been spending time in God’s Word together and were reading that very verse when he received my text.

Despite all the pitfalls of electronic communication and social networking, this story illustrates one clear benefit: immediate and edifying communication.

Fifteen years ago, I did not have a tool that would have allowed me to have this kind of immediacy in communication. I could have sent an email with the Scripture verse and let him know I was praying for him, but it is unlikely that he would have received it at the very moment he was reading the same verse.

When Spirit-filled Christians use the technological communication tools of our day, those tools can become powerful means of encouragement, edification, and spiritual influence.

In fact, my favorite person to receive a text message from is Dr. Don Sisk. Not only is Dr. Sisk an encouraging friend, but I just love the fact that at almost eighty years of age, he is texting! To the point that a new piece of technology is useful to him for ministry, Dr. Sisk is an early adapter. (It was Dr. Sisk who encouraged me to start using email a couple of decades ago—he was already doing it!)

I’m always hesitant to embrace new technology. As a pastor, my first exposure to a new mode of communication or tool of networking is often counseling people who have fallen prey to its pitfalls.

And yet, I’m thankful for the many modes of communication we have via today’s technology. Many of today’s tools allow for an immediate response to the Holy Spirit’s prompting to share a Scripture verse, a testimony, or a word of encouragement.

Why then are we so prone to use the resources at our fingertips to be negative or caustic? When we make social media about self-promotion or our personal channel to get a load off our chest, we let opportunities for God slip right through our fingers. Literally.

If you use and enjoy social media tools, look for ways to make them centered on promoting Christ, encouraging Christians, and uplifting God’s Word.

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.—Ephesians 4:29

Perhaps we should think of social media as a channel of grace—our opportunity to “minister grace unto the hearers.”

5 Links to Effective Communication

Anti-Bullying Campaign Demeans Christians

Paul Chappell — Tue, 01 May 2012 23:12:05 +0000

During a keynote speech on anti-bullying at the National High School Journalism Conference, Dan Savage told the students they can “learn to ignore the (expletive) in the Bible about gay people.”

Todd Starnes of Fox News Radio reports that when offended students began walking out on the 3-minute anti-Christian rant, Savage cursed them. Many other students at the convention clapped and cheered at Savage’s remarks.

Are we to believe that culture or these students would have tolerated a speaker to ridicule gays or Muslims?

Mr. Savage, who met with President Obama in 2011, speaks against bullying, but he bullied and ridiculed Christian teenagers for their faith. It seems that he and others like him want tolerance for everything except the Bible and Christianity.

You can see the video of the event here. We link to this speech with caution due to the explicit and crude language used, however, it is important for Christians to understand the nature of the attacks against our faith. Please pray for the Christian teens who stood for Christ in this moment of persecution.

No one is for bullying, but I am suspicious of the anti-bullying propaganda since it has turned into a bullying agenda against Christians.

The One Overriding Purpose

Paul Chappell — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:27:02 +0000

This blog is an early preview for a book I am currently writing about motivations for ministry. Below is an excerpt from chapter 1. I’m glad to hear your feedback or suggestions!

Sometimes we overcomplicate the Christian life. We develop formulas, lists, and philosophies, all of which may be good and helpful; but there is an overriding purpose to our lives, and it’s quite simple—do all to the glory of God.

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.—1 Corinthians 10:31

The word glorify means “to reveal or make clear.” In simple terms, you and I were created for the express purpose of showing or revealing God more clearly to others. By our lives and very existence He should be seen more clearly—even magnified—in others’ eyes. There is no higher motivation or purpose in all of life.

What a different and contrasting purpose than what we see in modern-day pop-culture. The message of the world is simply, “Glorify self!” The secular world idolizes mankind, magnifies the pleasure of man, and promotes the worship of self.

Romans 1 describes the godless early Gentile world—a culture strikingly like our own.

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.—Romans 1:21–23

Today’s world’s system—from the educators, to the Hollywood producers, to the fashion designers, to the musicians—is not concerned with glorifying God at all. In fact, as a whole, they are “willingly…ignorant” of God (2 Peter 3:5).

Even in Christian ministry, there is much popular teaching about promoting self, building brand, and the development of personal platform.

But for those of us who know God, who have received Christ, our hearts’ desire and purest passion should be to glorify Him—to make the Lord Jesus Christ more clearly known before men.

When God’s Glory Motivates Us…

There is a difference in how we approach ministry when our highest motivation is God’s glory. Below are some earmarks of ministry carried out to the glory of God.

We strive for excellence. Our God is excellent and worthy of our most excellent efforts. When His glory drives us, we dig deeper and strive to give Him our utmost in every area of life and service.

We live with integrity. When we care about God’s glory, we strive for a deep level of authenticity in all of life, not just the visible aspects. God sees every part of our hearts and lives, and His glory calls us to absolute integrity and sincerity. His glory prohibits us from separating our lives into public and private—into ministry and non-ministry, holding each area to a different standard. God’s glory calls us to integrity.

We care about the details. Remembering His glory changes how we handle the “insignificants.” God’s glory will motivate us to pay attention to details we might dismiss were it only our own names at stake. What’s “good enough” for me, may not be “good enough” for God’s glory.

We are willing to be consumed for Christ. John the Baptist’s highest ambition was to expend his life for Christ’s glory. In John 3:30 he said, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John made Christ’s magnification his life mission, and he was satisfied by its completion. When God’s glory becomes our motive—our passion—it is a joy to expend our lives for Christ alone.

All to the Glory of God

What is your highest motivation? What drives you right now? When God examines your heart motives, does He find first and foremost a deep desire for His glory?

You were created for His glory, and you’re never more fully alive than when you are living to bring Him glory. And He is never more fully pleased than when your life is truly glorifying to Him!

Spiritual Leadership Podcast: How to Host a New Members Orientation

Paul Chappell — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:30:48 +0000

In the early days of Lancaster Baptist Church, our new members orientation consisted of an afternoon reception at the Chappell home. Terrie and I would set up chairs in the living room and provide food for the time of fellowship. We would both share our testimonies, and I would explain to our new members the structure and vision of our church as well as answer questions they asked.

Over the years, our new member’s orientation has evolved into a process that I believe is more equipping for the new members and yet still allows for the personal fellowship and bonding.

In this month’s Spiritual Leadership Podcast, I share some practical ideas on helping new members of your church become committed disciples of Christ.

This lesson is unique in that it was originally presented to a group of pastors, but I taught it as if they were a group of new members to Lancaster Baptist Church. Along the way, I punctuated the lesson with notes of explanation as to the reasoning behind what content I use in our orientation and how I present it. I pray this is a blessing to you and a help to your church.

Go get Adobe Flash Player!

Podcast: Download

The Spiritual Leadership podcast is a free resource from Striving Together Publications (a ministry of Lancaster Baptist Church and West Coast Baptist College).

You can subscribe to this podcast through iTunes and listen on your computer or iPod. You can also receive the complimentary outline with each lesson. Click here for more information about subscribing to the outline.

Growth Points 014: A Servant Leader Has One Altar

Paul Chappell — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:05:44 +0000

Servant leadership has been one of the three cornerstones of our emphasis at the Spiritual Leadership Conference.

True servant leadership can only take place when the heart is, as Hebrews 13:9 puts it, “established with grace.” Such a heart has room in its worship for God alone and serves only for the approval of Christ.

In this growth points podcast, I share three characteristics of a servant leader whose heart is established in God’s grace.

(If you cannot see this video in your RSS reader or email, you can watch it here.)

Make sure you get all future Growth Points videos by subscribing to the Spiritual Leadership Podcast.