The Dream Centre

By James Peter Jandu 

“…though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again…” (Proverbs 24:16) It is said that the Church is the only army that executes it’s wounded. Christians can often be ruthless and brutal when dealing individuals who has committed a sin and repented, all in the name of a loving God. Why do we expect leaders to be perfect when we know they cannot be?  Leaders are prone to error for a variety of reasons. Pressure can be a common reason. Whatever the cause our response should be seasoned with grace.   Rather than supporting a person that falls we participate in condemning. Lies and rumors are viciously spread unchecked. Razor sharp daggers appear hastily out of thin air to stab the heart just to make sure their death is unquestionable. Character assassination becomes the agenda as the attempt to belittle the perpetrator gains momentum. When an individual of notoriety falls should we affirm the secular media response or the Word of God. Secular media desires scandalous news stories and will exaggerate, distort and lie about any incident that occurred. Should Christians engage in malicious talk? Do you ultimately desire truth or gossip? Professional counseling “Professional counseling” is commonly the suggested antidote for moral failure. For ‘minor sins’ we look to Jesus, but for the so called ‘major sins’ we need the professional heavy weights – the spiritual police force! 
It is a common scenario repeated throughout history. Once a preacher fails morally, a self appointed advisory team remove the person from ministry and subject them to a season of “counseling.”  In their striving to avoid plummeting into the ditch of justifying sin countless individuals fall into the other ditch of condemning sin. Sin has already been condemned in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:3). The word ‘restoration’ will no doubt be raised in any discussion on this matter. My questions are: How long does it take to repent? How long does it take to be restored? The problems arise when people give definitions to these words that are not as graceful as the Bible. One says it means one thing another claim’s it means something else. What does the Bible say? The blood of Jesus is sufficiently powerful to restore in an instant.  

The teaching and response of JesusHow did Jesus deal with those who sinned? In John 8:3-11 the teachers of the law and the Pharisee brought a woman caught in the act of adultery and presented her to Jesus.  Jesus’ initial response is revealing, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Then He annihilates the doctrines of the theology graduates that had assembled. Just imagine this solemn assembly as The Master Teacher gracefully takes charge of the proceedings. There was no extended counseling or prayer of deliverance! Just the uncomplicated words, “Then neither do I condemn you, go now and sin no more.”  Pure undiluted grace from the lips of The Master.  I can perceive the response in the modern church. Would we respond in the same manner as Jesus? Common responsesThe majority of Christians I meet have not received a revelation of grace. 
They walk in a spirit of condemnation. They condemn others because they feel condemned.  Condemned people condemn others. How do we condemn people? We stone them by our words, actions and thoughts. Some even use the scriptures to stone while seated on their self righteous high horse gawking intimidating with piercing eyes that attempt to scrutinize the victims every move hunting for fresh gossip. 

Careless thoughts and comments betray and expose our self righteousness.

“I would never do such a thing myself” “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”(I Corinthians 10:12).
“We can never trust them again” “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). “We can’t allow this type of behaviour in the church. They should NEVER be allowed to preach again!” If you have aught good to utter then utter nothing.  It is disgraceful that some Christians delight when others fall. This exposes their true character. How can you say you love God, who you cannot see, yet not love your fallen comrade who you can see? Some respond by saying they feel hurt and offended? Weak people get offended. In any case you are to “forgive those that trespass against you”.  Our response when one fails lays bare the condition of our heart. Do we seek to join the lynch mob and be agents of gossip, false accusations and spreading rumors? How would you respond? The truth of the matter is that you attack and seek to destroy the person because you yourself have not forgiven the person. You cannot quench your thirst for vengeance by drinking poison expecting the other person dies. 

Grace solutionWe fail to recognize that the root of sin is the absence of grace. “For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:17)   When grace is abounding sin has no dominion. Our approach should be graceful. The cure is a fresh encounter with Jesus.  It’s one thing to proclaim, “Jesus is the answer” but then turn around and trust in man made solutions to spiritual problems.  Sin is not a trivial matter and so it does not need your efforts to deal with it, it requires His effort.  What God does produces lasting transformation.   The root cause of the problem should be identified and the ONLY solution applied – Jesus. No point proclaiming Jesus is the answer and then turning to our own methods derived from our own twisted logic. Grace is God’s idea. It succeeds to produce genuine change. Regardless of what is said to some people, they will cling to the old rugged attitude! The word ‘grace’ is not in their dictionary.  Have you sinned?Whenever I confront condemning Christians they become very hostile when I point out their sins. The words of Jesus ring loud and clear, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone...” Shame they often fall on deaf ears.  

Paul lists sinful behaviors to the Corinthian church. Then he says, “and all this describes what some of YOU were” (I Corinthians 6:11).We forget where we came from and what God did for us. Instead we become pharisaical, excessively and hypocritically pious with a sickening sanctimonious attitude. If you have lusted in your heart then YOU have committed adultery. Just because no one knew it you justify yourself while condemning others. It maybe you have not done the physical act because you lack opportunity (or no one would want to with you!). You desire that God show you grace yet you condemn others.  “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31)“Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering” (Hebrews 13:3) God forbid if you failed morally, but if you did how would you like to be treated? ConclusionIf you are not part of the solution then you are part of the problem.  Your response to the failing of others is revealing.   The attitude God has is vastly distinct to that of multitudes. What if God treated you like you treat others? What if He never gave you another chance?  The prodigal son was not relegated to the seat of a second class citizen. He was restored to his original position of nobility. The senior brother, like numerous Christians, could not comprehend and appreciate the father’s response. The mercies of God endure for ever.  James Peter Jandu

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by James Peter Jandu

I made a decision a few years ago. I decided that I would put more time, effort and money building other peoples ministries than my own. If you make someone elses dream come true God will see to your dream. It is better to give than to receive.  Whatever you sow you will reap.
 
Here are some sobering questions…
1. What if God told you to give up your ministry to someone else and just allow Him to take you another direction?
2. Are you just a part of the ‘Christain ministry rat race’? Battling to make it. Battling to get noticed. Competing instead of cooperating.
3. What if in 30 years time you were in the exact same position that you are in now? You climbed the ladder of christian ministry only to discover after 30 years that the ladder was leaning against the wrong wall.
 
It is possible to answer these questions and mislead yourself. I hope you will look into the mirror of the Word and allow the Holy Spirit to direct you. He really loves you. He can see everything you are doing in His name. He appreciates what you do. But…He does not want you to die trying to do what should come easy. Flowing in ministry is like surfing not like rowing against the current. If the horse is dead it is time to dismount.
 
Are you leading over a garden where there is natural growth or over a factory where there is alot of toil and manufactured growth. God placed Adam in a garden not in a factory. Manufactured growth will take alot of effort to maintain and will lead to frustration. Natural growth (supernatural growth) is in His hands. It is God that gives the increase. It is God that maintains that increase. When we work He rests. When we rest He works!
 
Getting churches to work together has always been a challenge. Each time your heart beats three people die and pass into eternity having not known Christ in this life. Surely there is cause worth uniting for…
 
Do you really see your ministry as part of a wider body? or do you think you are the ‘man or woman of the hour’ for your city?
 
Your efforts are not in vain!

James Peter Jandu is a ministry consultant. Need a freshness in your ministry? Contact him today!

 ”I have three things I’d like to say today. First, while you were sleeping last night, 30,000 kids died of starvation or diseases related to malnutrition. Second, most of you don’t give a shit. What’s worse is that you’re more upset with the fact that I said shit than the fact that 30,000 kids died last night.” Tony Campolo

“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” Mahatma Gandhi

“Your life is your prayer” James Peter

“Prayer is 99% listening to God and 1% talking” James Peter

“Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.” Albert Einstein

      “All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become.” Buddha

“Whenever you have truth it must be given with love, or the message and the messenger will be rejected” Mahatma Gandhi

      “You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” Buddha

“What do I think of Western civilisation? I think it would be a very good idea.” Mahatma Gandhi

“The only real failure in life is not to be true to the best one knows.” Buddha

“Everything from God is channeled through you. The stronger God can be in you, the more He can lift others through you.” Dr T.L. Osborn

      “However many holy words you read,However many you speak,What good will they do you If you do not act on upon them?” Buddha

“Your power to THINK is your power to have FAITH.” Dr T.L. Osborn

“Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others.” Buddha

“When Jesus Christ met people, He said or did something to lift them to a new level.” Dr T.L. Osborn

“Be the change you want to see in the world.” Mahatma Gandhi

“Action is the proof that you believe what you say.” Dr T.L. Osborn

“To keep the body in good health is a duty…otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.” Buddha

“Before you were born, you existed in God’s mind. He knew this world would need YOU at this time.” Dr T.L. Osborn

“The most heinous and the most cruel crimes of which history has record have been committed under the cover of religion or equally noble motives” Mahatma Gandhi

“If Jesus suffered our diseases and bore our pains, then logically we ARE healed!” Dr T.L. Osborn

“Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill.” Buddha

“Every human being is the author of his own health or disease.” Buddha

“An eye for eye only ends up making the whole world blind.” Mahatma Gandhi

“God has no religion” Mahatma Gandhi

“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough” Albert Einstein

“I’d be a Christian if it were not for the Christians!” Mahatma Gandhi

“If all Christians acted like Christ, the whole world would be Christian” Mahatma Gandhi 
 
“Oh, I don’t reject your Christ. I love your Christ. It’s just that so many of you Christians are so unlike your Christ.” Mahatma Gandhi 
 
“There are thousands of men and women today who, though they may not have heard about the Bible or Jesus have more faith and are more god fearing than Christians who know the Bible and who talk of its Ten Commandments…”  Mahatma Gandhi

“To live the gospel is the most effective way most effective in the beginning, in the middle and in the end. …Not just preach but live the life according to the light…. If, therefore, you go on serving people and ask them also to serve, they would understand. But you quote instead John 3:16 and ask them to believe it and that has no appeal to me, and I am sure people will not understand it…the Gospel will be more powerful when practiced and preached.” Mahatma Gandhi 
 
“You have offered us Christianity in a Western cup… Give it to us in an Eastern bowl and we will drink of it“  Sadhu Sundar Singh

“Almost everything you do will seem insignificant, but it is important that you do it” Mahatma Gandhi

by Peter Youngren

Have you checked the bestsellers lists recently? Atheism has an audience in our nation. This could mean that the number of so-called atheists is on the increase, or that believers are buying books to find out what the atheists are saying. Two authors, whose books have reached considerable popularity, are Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens. I have read enough of one of Mr. Hichens’s books to recognize he is re-hashing the arrogant thoughts of those who have defied God throughout the centuries. The Bible is clear that only the fool says in his heart “there is no God”. This does not mean that atheists are fools in all areas of life, but to deny a Creator in the face of nature’s splendor is utter foolishness.
It is of particular interest to me when so-called atheists (whether they really are atheists is another argument) critique the Old and the New Testament. They actually have one common trait with the Ethiopian eunuch described in Acts chapter 8: they don’t understand what they read. However there is also one significant distinction between atheists and the Ethiopian; the atheists think they understand what they read, while the Ethiopian knew better.
I think there are several reasons why atheism is on a resurgence. The type of Christianity we have promoted has too much self-righteousness in it. Some Christians openly talk of “holy war”, and are all too ready to speak words of condemnation and judgment, while you rarely hear much of God’s love or what God in Christ has done. If the main propagators of Christianity carry such a message, we are no different than any other religion. All religion is based on human merits, dictated by religious legalists.
A few observations:
1)    The propagation of atheism itself is an indication of God. Why do people devote so much time to deny someone’s existence? We don’t see books denying the existence of Santa Claus, or the Wizard of Oz, or Superman. In fact, the energy put into denying God’s existence is an indicator that He really does exist.
2)    Some of the attacks from atheists come because we Christians have not been able to articulate the Gospel of the grace of Jesus Christ. Instead we have come across as power hungry, narrow minded, condemning Pharisees, causing resentment among those who are not believers. This stands in contrast to Jesus, who was the friend of sinners, and whom “these common people” heard gladly.

3)    The failure of legalistic religion is an opportunity for the Gospel of the grace of Jesus Christ. Obviously the human heart is searching. In Christopher Hutchins current bestseller he opens with these words:
“If the intended reader of this book should want to go beyond disagreement with this author and try to identify the sins and deformities that animated him to write it (and I have certainly noticed that those who publicly affirm charity, compassion and forgiveness are often inclined to take this course), then he or she will not just be quarreling with the unknowable and ineffable creator who - presumably - opted to make me this way.”
I respond “Amen” to some of that. Yes, Mr. Hitchens, God made you in a way that you would search and wonder and wrestle with questions about Him. He put eternity in your heart and I think you are closer to His kingdom than you think.

I have a confession. Early on, I realized that as a minister I was standing up and telling people to live one way (for example – pray every day) while I myself was struggling. I found that on any given week I certainly couldn’t say that I prayed more than one hour per day. And even if I did pray it was usually at a prayer meeting (ie. in front of people). We were all very forceful prayer warriors then. I can’t speak for what the others were like when they were alone, but I know that my private prayer life was not nearly as…how should we phrase it – vocal! In retrospect, years later I find myself wondering how much of our prayers back then were for God’s ears and how much was for each other’s. A classic sermon, with literally thousands of variations, given by pastors around the world to their congregation(s) is entitled “Spend more time with God”! I have two actual objections to this sermon – one theological and one practical – but they both boil down to the same three words. It doesn’t work! Telling people in different ways and at different times that they need to spend more time with God is the wrong strategy and in my experience it never has a lasting effect. Now if you want people to go home and fall on their knees that night, by all means tell people to do it. Tell them how wrong they are for not doing it. Tell people that prayerlessness is the problem with the Church today. In fact if a short term solution is all you’re after then a healthy does of subtle guilt and condemnation is just what the doctor ordered (of course be sure to interject at least one or two token phrases such as “I’m not condemning you” and then you’re covered J).

So! How is it that people begin to spend more time with the Lord? Let me make a statement and you can go and research it after. The Bible never says that you have to love God to go to Heaven. What? Yes! I have felt love in my life and it was never forced, nor coerced. In fact by its very nature love can never be under those circumstances.

Here’s a test. Husbands go to your wives and tell them that you’ll be spending a mandatory one hour per day with them. Then keep track of that time meticulously; one hour to the minute. Bring a list of things you want to talk about and stick to it. Never let your wife talk. Then go to all your friends and brag about what a good husband you are for spending quality time with the love of your life. Hopefully you’ll never take this advice – never! Yet each Sunday that was the advice I was giving my congregants about how to advance their relationship with God.

Our relationship with the Lord is based on love and love only grows in one way. Look closely at how Paul writes “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment” (Philippians 1:9). Paul tells us two very important things. Firstly, that our love abounds (grows). I can safely say that I have a greater revelation of God’s love for me today than I did before and THAT makes me love Him even more. God has always loved me with His divine and unshakeable love, but only now am I learning to walk in that love every day. And that is Paul’s second point – love abounds in knowledge. If there is no knowledge then you’re claiming to love a stranger. Love doesn’t grow without knowledge. You can’t find a scripture verse in which Paul tells the various local Church bodies to spend more time with God. Why? What is the quota? When have you spent enough time with the Lord? What does that mean?

Our relationship with Christ who lives in us and through us is a wonderful twenty-four hour a day event. Don’t segment in people’s minds one time with Christ over another. There is no such thing. Time spent in prayer is no better than time spent in fellowship with the other saints of God for example. In fact there are times I learn a great deal about God while talking with my friends about His Word. I learn about the Lord when I give my testimony to a co-worker or study the scriptures or go to Church. The Christian life is for living and no one part is better than another. All of these events produce knowledge about the Lord inside of me and that divine knowledge causes my love for Him to abound!

Spending time with the love of my life (Jesus) is not a problem anymore. How much time do I spend in prayer and fellowship with God; I really couldn’t tell you because I don’t keep track. But I can honestly say that I understand Paul better now when he said “I pray without ceasing”.

Written by Peter Youngren

If you checked Focus on the Family’s website a few weeks ago you would have found a video with a call for prayer. This was a prayer request that a torrential rain storm would drown out Democratic presidential nominee, Barack Obama, at his rally at Invesco Field in Denver. Once the media got a hold of this, pressure mounted, and Focus on the Family apologetically withdrew the video. Ok, so we all make mistakes. I suppose even those who believe that such a prayer would be God’s will realize how ridiculous this looked. The person who produced the video stated that he believed God would show His divine disfavor towards Obama, by a torrential downpour beginning the very minute the program started. Of course, this would only happen if born-again believers prayed hard enough.

Now let me get this straight. A large number of born-again people are to let God know that He is supposed to send rain at a specific time in Denver, CO. And not just rain, but a storm of such devastating proportions that all would know, “this was God.”

Was the person behind this prayer call an extremist? Yes, but regrettably he represents an all to common extremism. Sending torrential rains on a political candidate? What about tsunamis, earthquakes, or assassinations? Are these divine activities?

A few months ago a video was on the news where Pastor John Hagee suggested that God was behind Hitler and the holocaust in order to accomplish His prophetic purposes. These are flimsy, twisted, grotesque and embarrassing interpretations of Scripture (more about this another time).

It is time for the evangelical community to draw a line in the sand and totally reject this kind of reasoning. This is an awful and derogatory representation of Christianity and the Gospel. Is this what we are about? Requesting that God cause misfortune to those who we may not agree with?

One pentecostal Christian in Florida told me God was allowing McCain to win the U.S. Election and that the Baptist preacher, Mike Huckabee, would be the Vice President. God would then orchestrate the quick death of McCain in order that the born-again Huckabee might ascend to the presidency. Where does this line of thinking come from? Who comes up with such ideas? What are people hearing from the pulpits, week after week?

Sadly, the evangelical church has lost awareness of what the Gospel is all about. God is not in the business of punishing whatever person or idea he might be displeased with. God sent His judgment for human sin on Jesus Christ, releasing us to preach “Good News” to the world. Unfortunately, bad news religion seems to be everywhere. Now and then you see a ray of light as someone presents what God has really done for world.

By the way, the sun shone brightly on Obama’s rally.

What if it had rained on Obama? Would that have been indication that the prayer call would have been answered by God? Certainly not! With that logic we would have to assume that the churches that were damaged as a result of hurricane Katrina were also punished by God. The fact is that believers as well as nonbelievers died on 9/11, in Hurricane Katrina and in the tsunami that wreaked devastation in South East Asia. We live in an imperfect world. Bad news is everywhere but our job is to preach the Good News. When we drift from the Gospel we look ridiculous. One more thought. I’m not advocating McCain or Obama; I’m bringing correction to a church that forgot the Gospel.    

My fall happened in a split second. In my last blog I commented on how spectacular the third night of our Kisumu Gospel Festival was. I couldn’t possibly describe all the glorious details of the testimonies of healings, salvation and freedom. There is one other small detail that I didn’t mention. At the end of the night I was engaged in a conversation with the Mayor of Kisumu, when Megen Thurber, head of our Media department, waved to let me know some people wanted to take our picture.

Earlier I had noticed that there was one area where the stage was weak. We had tried to keep the line of people wanting to testify away from this spot and I had avoided it as I preached. I didn’t realize that the Mayor and I were now standing on this very soft spot. We were looking into the camera when one of the bishops stepped into the same weak spot. Well, in one instant we all disappeared below the stage as it gave way (see video—I laugh now, but it was painful).

Almost six feet below were boards and steel pipes, all part of the stage structure, and my foot got caught as I found myself with a mother and child across my legs, the Mayor resting on my right shoulder, and other bodies on top of me. I rolled my ankle pretty good, and when they lifted me out of the hole I was a bit shaken. The people, of course, were looking at this in wonderment as the service was winding down.

Well, it’s not the end of the world that the Mayor of Kisumu and I are both limping a bit. If that’s all there was to it I wouldn’t even bother telling the story except, of course, that you may find it peculiar to see me vanish and my shocked expression afterwards.

What resulted was predictable: Christians started to say that the devil had done it. You know this strange idea in Charismatic religion that when we are anointed by God and seeing signs, wonders and miracles, then the devil has power to get back at us. Of course, this is a ridiculous idea, but it is not one unique to Africa. I hear it in America, Canada and Europe all the time. If the sound system is shrieking it’s the devil, if someone backs their car into a telephone pole it’s the devil, etc. etc. I get tired of even repeating these weird notions.

Here is how I started my sermon the next night: “You all saw the mayor of the city and myself disappear under the stage last night. I’ve heard the statements that the devil made this happen. But I can assure you he didn’t. The devil doesn’t have the power to make a stage collapse. If he worked on it for 1000 years he couldn’t do it. That kind of power is completely out of his reach. No, the devil didn’t do it. What did it was poor construction.” Well, the people erupted in applause and laughter. It’s amazing how merely stating the obvious brings such joy. The spell cast by the idea that the devil somehow mystically could orchestrate the collapse of our platform had been dispelled, and the people were free just to enjoy and laugh. The contractor who had built the stage was nowhere to be seen. I think he was afraid of the Mayor. We still love him, so he need not to worry about us.

That night leaving the Gospel Festival grounds, there was a real traffic jam. Bicycles, cars and, most of all, thousands of people tried to exit at the same time. I turned to my friend Bishop Jefferson who was riding with me in our car, “let’s talk to some people.” Coincidently, the moment I rolled down my window I saw a smiling man with his family. “I’m so happy,” he said. I asked him what happened. He said, “My daughter has been a deaf mute and last night Jesus healed her.” I called the girl over and, sure enough, she could hear everything and articulate words so well. He said, “We came back tonight just to praise God for what happened.” Here was a family and the daughter had never made her way to the platform to testify; one of many who I would never have heard of unless the traffic jam had slowed us down. You’ve heard the phrase, “only eternity will reveal all that happened.” I don’t know how many other families are just like this one—people to whom God’s love has been revealed, but we may never know about it until eternity.

 By Peter Youngren

There are a lot of offended Christians these days. Some of the things which seem to cause outrage and offense are; profanity on television, open display of homosexuality in movies and on television, humor that degrades Christian values. Well, that’s just for starters. When Christians express outrage, shock and offense, it is as if that expression in itself is a badge of spirituality. “Look at me; how shocked I am at the sin and worldliness around me. Shouldn’t you react in a similar way? Aren’t you equally shocked? Well, maybe your spiritual sensitivities aren’t as fine-tuned as mine”.

There is only one problem with all of this. Can you think of a single time in scripture when Jesus was offended by the sins of unbelievers? The only time you could find something akin to offense in Jesus was when he spoke forthrightly to the self-righteous, hypocritical religious leaders. In fact, Jesus forewarned us that if we are persecuted for our beliefs we should not be surprised or offended. “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world”, (John 16:33).

Here is the catch. If we are easily offended or shocked, we become either isolationists or attackers of the very society, which we are supposed to reach. Isolationists live in a cloistered environment with little or no influence on those on the outside. Attackers are resisted, much like we would react on a lovely summer night when hornets start buzzing around our picnic table. We find no example in scripture that Philip was offended at the witchcraft in Samaria. What about Paul’s reaction in godless, sinful, Corinth or idolatrous Athens? In neither instance do we find offense or rebuke of pagan behavior, but rather a focused pointing towards Jesus Christ as the only hope.

Everyone of the individuals who carry out what you and I may deem as offensive acts, are included in the reconciliation that Jesus provided by His death on the cross. Easter reminds us that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. The message of the Cross is the only power able to transform human behavior. Let’s not be shocked by the world around us, but let’s look for opportunities to get to know people, to share their lives and to tell them what Jesus has done for us.

Written by Peter Youngren on May 8, 2009

In most of the meetings I conduct I lead people in what is commonly called the “sinner’s prayer”. This usually means that the preacher says a prayer sentence by sentence and those who want to receive Christ repeat that prayer. I think the sinner’s prayer has been a blessing to many, though, shockingly, it’s not in the Bible. In fact there is no record of anything called a sinner’s prayer until the mid-1800s when the concept became popular under the ministry of D.L. Moody. In the last 150 years this prayer has taken hold in evangelical churches. In fact, in some circles what signifies the moment you become a Christian is going to the front of a church building at the invitation of a preacher and repeating “the prayer”. Phrases like, “she must be a Christian because she said the prayer” or asking someone, “Have you said the prayer?”, demonstrates the huge importance many place on this.
As already stated, I believe in and practice the “sinner’s prayer”, but there is a flipside. Tragically we run the risk of reducing something as powerful as receiving new life in Christ to a technicality of merely repeating words.

Often a preacher does not explain or declare what Jesus did on the cross, putting away our sins, but simply finishes his sermon with this line – “if you need peace in your heart, and you want a better life just repeat these words after me”. and then he goes right into the sinner’s prayer. Surveys by the Barna Group, another reputable organizations indicate that a significant percentage of the population in the United States and also in Canada have at some point accepted Jesus by “saying a prayer” and a significant part of those, who did so feel it didn’t work for them. Now the idea of receiving Jesus no longer excites them, “been there, done that.”

How were people born again before the concept of the sinner’s prayer. By believing in Jesus, followed by water baptism, often immediately upon declaring their faith. No prayer saves, although a sinner certainly can pray because “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”,. Believing what Jesus did and confessing Him as Lord is the way of salvation. If you believe in your heart that God put your sins on Jesus and that Jesus rose again from the dead and is Lord than you are saved whether you repeated a prayer or not. Let’s de-mystify this sinner’s prayer. If we preach sermons that reveal next to nothing about Jesus Christ and Him crucified and then finish off with a sinner’s prayer, we may cause collateral damage. People mistake the whole idea of receiving Jesus for a formula of prayer of accurate words when it has all to do with the heart’s believing.
All that to say; don’t hurry people into a prayer. Instead spend much time revealing what Jesus did on the cross.

Written by Peter Youngren on July 9, 2009

(Peter is a regular contributing writer for the St. Catharines Standard newspaper. Enclosed is his latest editorial piece for your comment.)
In his book, Whistling In The Dark, Frederick Buechner writes, “There is perhaps no better proof of the existence of God, than the fact that year after year He survives the way his professional friends promote Him. If there are people who remain unconvinced let them tune into their TV for almost any of the big time pulpit pounders any Sunday morning of the year.”

Ouch!

Evidently Mr. Buechner has a problem with television preachers, and since I am one of them, I better pay attention. Is Christian television really that bad? I believe in listening to critics, including those who never attend church. You don’t have to agree with your critics, but you can learn something of value from almost anyone. When it comes to the quote from Buechner, I tend to agree—at least in part. Many Christian programs portray God as narrow minded, petulant, condemning and angry. A few weeks ago the organization I founded, World Impact Ministries, purchased The Christian Channel [Cogeco 186], so now I have the opportunity to do something about Christian television. Well, don’t expect wonders overnight, but I am keeping several common criticisms in mind, among them that Christian television is judgmental, boring and phony.

Christians in general and Christian television in particular are often accused of being “judgmental.” It baffles the imagination how Christians could become such champions of condemnation when their Savior is a non-condemner. It seems many lack understanding that God’s justified wrath over human sin fell on Jesus. Therein lies the “Good News”: God is not angry with people, but His love is available to all. Why then do preachers attribute misfortunes—whether strokes, heart attacks, tsunamis, cyclones or hurricanes— to God’s supposed anger with the particular sins of an individual or a whole nation? We live under a covenant of the grace of Jesus Christ who said, “For the Son of Man did not come into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved.”

What about “boring”? Conflict and competition make television and movies exciting.  There is a hero and a villain. If the outcome of the story is uncertain, so much more reason for the audience to stay riveted. Even political talkshows have representatives of different sides of the issues duking it out. Meanwhile, Christian television usually consists of a few people sitting around a table agreeing with one another—not much conflict there. On Encounter, our nightly show, you often hear opinions from Atheists, Wiccans, Hindus, Moslems, or just plain non-religious Canadians, especially on the Street Talk and Viewer Comments segments. I like to mix it up, because it keeps us from merely “preaching to the choir.”

The “phony” accusation usually has to do with money. The appeal goes something like this: “God showed me that if you will give a certain amount of money, God will do “X” for you.” The “X”, of course, stands for any divine blessing that is promised on a particular program.  Make no mistake about it, most Christian television is viewer supported. I boldly ask for people’s support because without that we can’t operate. I think it’s the “put your coins in the divine slot-machine and you will win” approach that draws criticism. It certainly turns me off.  The Jesus approach is a little different. We love and give because we have received God’s love as a gift. Our giving is not to manipulate the Almighty, but to express our love for His kindness to us.

Do I think that Buechner’s sentiments have some validity? Certainly! Do I believe in Christian television? I sure do! We have the greatest message of hope and love in the world. There is nothing judgmental, boring or phony about that.

-Peter