Trying to Think Like Someone I'm Not

The longer you’re a believer, the less you think like an unbeliever. After you come to Christ, your interests and values change. You will likely begin to develop new relationships at a church and gradually you find that most of the people you know and with whom you spend the most time are also believers.

Because I’ve been a follower of Jesus for more than 40 years, I think like a Christian. I don’t normally think like an unbeliever. That’s good, because it keeps me from doing some horrible things. However, it can be bad if it keeps me from being effective as a witness for Christ.

But worse than thinking like a Christian all the time, I tend to think like a pastor and that’s even farther removed from an unbeliever’s mind-set! That means I must intentionally change mental gears when seeking to relate to non-Christians.

One of the key areas to which we should give special attention is the language we use. I’m not talking about foul language or profanity. No, what I am addressing is the use of terms which non-Christians don’t understand without a full and complete explanation. Even then, sometimes communication does not occur because of a language barrier.

I’ve heard pastors complain that unbelievers are more resistant to hearing the message of salvation today than in the past. I really don’t think that is true. I don’t think people are more resistant; rather, I think we are guilty of practicing poor communication. That’s a problem because that means the message isn’t getting through to the people who need to hear it. Churches need to stop saying that people are closed to the Gospel and start finding out how to communicate on their wavelength.

No matter how life-changing our message is, if we’re broadcasting on a different channel from the unchurched, it won’t do any good.

How do you learn to think like unbelievers? Talk to them! One of the greatest barriers to evangelism is that most believers spend all their time with other Christians. They don’t have any unbelieving friends. If you don’t spend any time with unbelievers, then you won’t understand how they’re thinking.

This is the way we’re to become the church God intends us to be. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples (John 15:13, ESV).

Kevin, Say It Isn't So!

Since St. Tammany Parish went to the parish council form of government, we have had only one parish president. Kevin Davis has served as a strong leader as our parish president. He has provided stability of our parish through many difficult challenges.

However, I was surprised to learn that President Davis advocates the establishment of an “entertainment district” in Slidell that would be anchored by a casino boat. My response: "Say it isn't so!"

No doubt Davis believes that such a district will provide a boost to the economy. The Times-Picayune news story (12/20/2008) indicated that he believes that this boost would mean $8 million to $11 million from gaming. In addition, Davis believes that there would be substantial dollars raised through the hotels, restaurants, shops, and the venue for entertainers to perform.

At first glance, this sounds exciting since it would provide a huge income stream for the parish, plus it would provide our citizens and others with employment opportunities as well as entertainment choices. With so many “virtues” to such a proposal, one might ask, “What possible reasons could be offered to keep reasonable people from approving it?” I would like to highlight several arguments against turning to gaming or gambling as an economic development tool.

1. Gambling contributes to crime. Though proponents may offer counter-arguments, it is hard to deny the correlation between the introduction of casino gambling and an increase of crime. Cities where casinos operate experience an increase in all kinds of criminal acts including assault, rape, burglary, and murder. So rather than providing a safe family environment we enjoy in St. Tammany, introducing casino gaming will likely have a significant adverse effect on our quality of life.

2. Gambling contributes to corruption. Many careful studies on gambling point out frequent incidents of corruption related to gambling. Police are the most immediate targets for corrupting influences. While I have the utmost respect for our law enforcement personnel, they would be viewed by casino interests as targets seeking to make payoffs and bribes. But gambling corruption has bigger targets. Elected officials as well as individuals in the gambling business are also subject to the corrupting influence of gambling.

3. Gambling disrupts the economy. Rather than help us financially, gambling negatively affects the economy. Accessibility and availability create a perfect storm for gambling addiction. Research indicates that when a casino is located within 10 miles of home, there will be a significant increase of those individuals who become pathological or problem gamblers. This will correspond with all kinds of bad economic issues ranging from higher worker absenteeism and greater incidents of unpaid bills to an increase in personal bankruptcy rates. In fact, a recent study of counties that had casino gambling showed bankruptcy rates were 100 percent greater than those counties without casinos. Granted, it takes three to five years for the full impact of gambling-induced bankruptcies to be realized, but I hardly think it is worth it.

4. Gambling destroys families. Studies show that each problem gambler negatively affects marriages and families. Divorce rates for problem gamblers are two to three times the rates of non-gamblers. Gambling creates financial problems and special tensions in the home. It is difficult to determine whether the gambler or his or her spouse is more physically, mentally, and emotionally damaged by the ravages of a gambling binge. A woman whose partner is a problem gambler is more than 10 times more likely to be a victim of domestic violence than if the partner had no gambling problem. Add alcohol to the mix (a likely scenario in an “entertainment district”), and the odds for abuse increase to more than 50 times!

The children of gamblers suffer when a gambling parent loses the money for such necessities as food, rent, clothing, and medicine. They suffer when a gambling parent abandons them in cars, with neighbors, or in gambling daycare centers while they satisfy their gambling addiction. Communities are hurt by the presence of gambling as increasing numbers of people become addicted to gambling and prey on their communities to support their gambling addictions.

5. Gambling destroys lives. The something-for-nothing craving which gambling stimulates undermines character. The hope of winning a fortune causes some to embezzle and steal for a gambling stake. Gambling appeals to the weakness of a person’s character and develops recklessness, callousness, and covetousness. Some gamblers become psychologically addicted to gambling so that they cannot stop gambling and find themselves in a headlong plunge into personal catastrophe. Depression and hopelessness may plague addicted gamblers and their families to the point of ultimate depression – suicide.

I have urged President Davis in a letter dated December 22, 2008, to abandon the idea of an offshore casino boat in St. Tammany. While I know that gaming interests and others will argue that many people enjoy spending money in settings like the one you are proposing, the costs to individuals, families, the economy, and to our community is too high to justify it.

Please join me in telling President Davis to abandon the casino boat idea for St. Tammany Parish.

My Recommendations for the 2008 Election

Well, I got you to look! Yes, I'm a pastor, and I have decided for whom I will cast my ballot. As a citizen of our great nation, I possess the freedom to vote according to my beliefs and convictions -- or even the lack of beliefs and convictions. I am totally free to base my choice on an endless list of reasons.

Furthermore, as an individual I can endorse a candidate or even a political party. I can encourage others to vote for my candidate. HOWEVER, I will not identify that choice in this blog. Why? Because I do not want to cause confusion to what is proper.

Churches cannot endorse candidates who are running for political office. For issues such as constitutional amendments or other propositions that may appear on ballots, churches can provide guidance as to how people should vote. For example, if there was an amendment to the state constitution providing for legalized marriages for same sexed couples, a church could absolutely urge its members to vote against such a measure. However, a church could not urge its members to vote either for or against a particular candidate.

As an individual, a pastor is not limited or restricted with regards to endorsing candidates. In fact, I tell people regularly for whom I will vote. I have participated in the campaigns of individuals through the years. But I would never endorse a candidate while carrying out my public responsibilities as a pastor. In other words, I would not endorse a candidate from the pulpit. But I would willingly answer anyone who asked me who will be receiving my vote in most any other setting.

Since this blog appears as a link from our church's website, I will not endorse anyone seeking political office in this blog. However, I can offer a few guidelines that may be helpful in reaching your decision prior to casting your ballot.

Find where the candidates stand on these issues.
1. Marriage -- Does the candidate stand for marriage as defined in the Bible?
2. Life -- What is the candidate's position on abortion? What is the candidate's position on partial birth abortion?
3. Euthansia -- How does the candidate stand on the taking of a life in an effort to be compassionate?
4. Embryonic Stem Cell Research -- This is another life issue. Does the candidate support the use of embryonic stem cell in a rationalized attempt to offer medical cures?

When you discover where the candidates stand on these non-negotiable issues, your decsion for whom to vote should be crystal clear. I know for whom I am voting.

Old vs. New -- An Unnecessary and Divisive Debate

In the July 24, 2008, edition of the Louisiana Baptist Message, Chester A. Peyronnin, Jr. of New Orleans wrote a letter to the editor decrying the use of contemporary music in church service. Peyronnin posited that Baptists had formerly been known as a singing religion, but now they seem to be a chanting congregation.

I can appreciate much of what Mr. Peyronnin wrote concerning his preference to old hymns to new music. Without a doubt, we have enjoyed a rich heritage of great hymns. I have also come to appreciate them greatly. However, our personal preferences should not give rise to a spirit of division. Hopefully my own letter won’t cause more division.

The letter suggested that new music makes use of “repeated phrases.” But we should also note that many of our old favorites include repeated choruses. So it appears that the choice of old hymns or new music comes down to preference. Whether our music expressions are aided with keyboard instruments like pianos and organs or whether we add guitars, drums, horns, or other instruments to them is also a matter of preference.

It may not be practical where Mr. Peyronnin attends church to have two services as we have at our church. We have found many advantages in this approach. Having multiple services gives attenders to have choices in music styles. In our particular congregation, we include hymns in our contemporary services and newer songs in our more traditional services. We do so because we value the theology and heritage of the older hymns, and we are grateful for the contributions of modern song writers such as Michael W. Smith, Chris Tomlin, and others. In a congregation where it’s not practical to have more than one service, it is possible to utilize a variety of music styles in a blended format.

Baptists as well as other groups have historically utilized their “cultural sounds” in expressing worship to God. I have worshiped in many churches. Some have been small, and others have been large. The styles of music have varied from traditional to gospel to contemporary. There have been times when a full orchestra accompanied a large choir. I have also been blessed to sing along as a contemporary band led worship. I have worshiped with our Hispanic congregation as they used guitars and tambourines and with a church in Nigeria as they used drums and gourds and sang words in languages I could not understand. But no matter the language or the style, I could worship the great and living God.

I would urge us not to permit a spirit of division arise among us on this central issue. Yes, worship is to God, but it is also for people. Let’s not allow personal preference cause divisions in our churches.

Will It Ever Be Finished?

Ever since I lived in Mandeville, there's been a highway widening project on the books. In fact, I was told that U.S. Hwy. 190 needed to be widened back in the early 1980s. However, a lack of financial resources always seemed to push this needed project back.

About six months prior to Hurricane Katrina (this storm has become a significant date from which we've come measure time), the road-widening project began with tree-cutting and utilities relocation. Now, more than three years later, people in our community have dealt with detours, bumpy roads, construction equipment, traffic delays, entrances to businesses blocked, dust, and generally a big mess until they really don't believe it will ever end.

No doubt, the task of widening a two-lane highway into a four- and five-lane thoroughfare has not been easy for either the construction workers or those who must use the highway regularly. This road literally is the main artery for our community, so we've all been affected.

I've been told that the project should be completed by November. I'm hoping for earlier! The inconvenience has affected businesses up and down this corridor. I'm fearful that some businesses will be forced to close. Our church's attendance has been affected by mess. We have, however, seen more people come check us out since the focus of the construction has moved away from our entrances.

I suppose that we should look forward to our situation improving soon. I'm glad that the road is finaly getting widened. It was desperately needed, and the only reason it was finally started is because it was so desperately needed. That a metaphor for life -- though many know that they need to do something about their relationship with God, they don't do anything about it until they are desperate. Unfortunately, that can be too late.

Take Action Today for Marriage -- Contact Your Congressman

It's time for a constitutional amendment to define marriage in the United States. Only a few years ago, few would have thought it necessary to define marriage in terms as a relationship between "one man and one woman." However, with an all-out assault on the institution of marriage as we have traditionally understood, we can no longer ignore or delay the need to amend our constitution.

This week Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean joined Massachusetts Democratic Representative Barney Frank and Wisconsin Democratic Representative Tammy Baldwin in issuing the following Proclamation marking PRIDE Month: "Today, on behalf of Democrats across America, we join together in celebrating the contributions that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans and their families make to our society and reaffirm our Party's commitment to promoting full equality under the law for every American. " What they intend to do is to redefine marriage to include homosexual couples. These spokespeople for Democrat Party state their rationale as "working together to build an America that is truly inclusive." They have set their ultimate goal as normalizing homosexuality in the minds of the majority.

Let me urge you to write to your U.S. Representative (in SE Louisiana, he is Steve Scalise) and urge him or her to co-sponsor H.J. RES. 89, the Marriage Protection Amendment. This amendment makes marriage legal only between a man and a woman. Democrats oppose the Marriage Amendment because they believe it is discriminatory against homosexuals. Do it today.

Tell Bobby, "Not Yet"

I hope that you will join me in contacting Gov. Bobby Jindal to tell him how important it is for him to remain as the governor of Louisiana. Jindal has served as our governor for only 4 months, but already he is making big differences. I'm hoping that the ethics reforms passed recently will make a difference, but I'm also hoping that the leadership he offers will help our state become a leader rather than a perenniel "cellar dweller."

Jindal's reputation as a change agent has captured the attention of many conservatives. Rush Limbaugh began suggesting our governor as a potential vice presidental candidate for about as long as Jindal has been our governor. Recently, Sen. John McCain's trip to New Orleans spurred more talk about Jindal being a running mate. Jindal's appearances on the Jay Leno show and before the National Press Club in Washington have continued such thinking. And this morning, I heard Bill Krystol suggest that Jindal would make an intriguing choice for the Republican ticket.

No doubt, Gov. Jindal's resume is impressive. But I'm urging him to provide much needed leadership to our state at this time. He's been telling us how significant a time it is in Louisiana right now and that he "has the job he wants right now." I have contacted the governor, thanking him for his leadership and asking him to remain as our governor.