Wednesday, May 30, 2007

The Babyhood of Babies

Have you ever tried to tell a 3 year old that they are a baby? Almost without exception they will quickly correct you—“I’m a big boy/girl.” Why, our oldest son was “a big man” from the age of 3. Although they are certainly not infants anymore they are still babies, whether they recognize it or not. This is one of the characteristics of babies—they never see their own deficiencies or babyhood (if there is such a word).

Spiritual babies (immature Christians) are no different. In the beginning they recognize that they are babies in Christ, but it isn’t long until they learn just enough to think of themselves as spiritually mature. We all recognize that the brand new Christian is vulnerable and needs friends who are Christians to counteract the pull of the world and their old friends. This is a dangerous time in their spiritual life, but the next stage is only slightly less dangerous. If they are not careful they enter the stage where they know just enough to become arrogant and often self-righteous. They don’t need to study the Bible or listen to older, more mature Christians as much (at least in their own mind) anymore and if they continue in this stage they never mature. The words of Hosea become true of them also; they are “a cake not turned”—burned on one side and raw on the other.

Working with these babies (whether they’ve gotten stuck in this stage or whether they’re only passing through on their way to maturity) requires a great deal of patience. Instead of just telling them what to do we need to both tell them and do it ourselves. As our children model what they see their parents do, so babes in Christ will model what they see older Christians do. In fact, that is often a big part of the problem—Christians with more time in the faith aren’t doing what they expect newer ones to do, so when they tell them what Christians should do they don’t listen. The older Christians aren’t doing it, so why should they?

This is where consistently doing what is right can have a great effect. Most of our first year in St. Croix we would drive the 45 minutes to where the church was meeting for Wed. night Bible class and one other member would show up, eventually. But over time more and more started coming and 7 years later every member would come for every service. Of course there was teaching about the importance of attendance, which is necessary, but a consistent example is at least as important.

Those of us who are in fact spiritually mature must patiently teach and set the example for those who aren’t yet there. It’s much easier, as well as natural, to “let them have it” about attendance, Bible study, or whatever and this may even produce results for a short time. But until the heart (or understanding) is changed, there will be no permanent improvement. Often we must swallow our own pride and anger and continue to be consistent in our actions. You will probably have to do it alone for at least awhile, but keep quietly and loving pushing them to grow—some will and some won’t.

There are those who won’t grow, perhaps because of their character or perhaps because of mistakes of others. Notice in 1 Tim. 3, in the qualifications of an elder, why a novice should be selected—so he doesn’t become puffed up and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Obviously, if someone who doesn’t know the Bible well is an elder, it will be easy for him (and the church) to go astray, but that’s not the reason the Holy Spirit moved Paul to write here. I have known a number of spiritual babies who have been put into leadership positions in the church and have ruined not only that church but every other church they become members of. Since they have been “leaders” they don’t see their need to study or grow in any way and “once a leader, always a leader” so they feel free to give their advice (usually as laws) to anyone who will listen. It is so tempting to humiliate them publicly by showing how ignorant they are, but such is usually counterproductive—they are not humble, only embarrassed and you have made an enemy for life. Frequently they will stir up trouble and may even divide the church. Better still, in my opinion, to try and work with them, not only teaching them, but showing them, what should be done. Don’t be surprised though if they fall away or start their own church.

It’s not easy working with babies—they aren’t always reasonable and worst of all, don’t even realize their immaturity. Just remember that we have all been immature at one time and good brethren loved us and taught us and showed us in spite of our babyhood.

Tol

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Life in Puerto Rico---slooooowwwww!

Dana and I arrived in Puerto Rico last Friday and have been waiting for everything under the sun since. We got here in time to go to the shipper to get a car and the trailer with our furniture, etc. Well, I didn't have the paperwork for either one and it would take us at least 1/2 hour to go back home to get them and customs closed at 3:30 PM, so nothing doing that day. Our neighbors supplied what we needed for the weekend.

Saturday and Sunday was doing some shopping--Wal-mart is about 1 mile away, but that's 20 minutes in our neighborhood. Services actually started about 5 minutes late, which is not even late here. All were present except one in English. The Spanish speaking group did not meet. (We'll work on that).

We spent all day Monday back at the shipper and customs--duty on the car was ridiculous, payable in cash only. Fortunately, there was no duty on our household goods. We cleared that trailer, then had to call a trucker, to go leave the papers at his office--a gas station. He brought the trailer to the house around 5:30 PM. After going to the bank, getting cash advances, etc. we finally paid out the car and left with it around 4 PM, arriving home 30 minutes later. It's only 7 miles, but the traffic.

We are still waiting on phone and internet--it was supposed to be installed Thur. but they couldn't find the cable so it is postponed until Tues. afternoon. Our phone number is suppossed to be: (787) 998-2098. I'll let you know when it is activated.

We're at Starbucks catching up on internet everything this afternoon. I only circled for 5 minutes to find a spot to park (it would probably be illegal to park there anywhere else but in PR it is SOP). We're adapting to driving here--we can turn left out of any lane and zip in and out of traffic like everybody else.

We are both fine and should be fairly well settled in by the end of next week.

Tol

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Prayers for Nino



Nino Estevez has been an integral part of the work in Venezuela for some years. He started the church in Barinas, which has since grown to around 100 while sending 15 or so to start another congregation downtown. He also has worked with churches in Maracaibo, Caracas, Guanare, and other places. He helped start the church in Valencia and San Cristobal.

He is suffering from kidney stones in both kidneys and is now facing surgery to remove at least one of them. Please remember him in your prayers--the date has not been set, but is projected to be within the next 6 weeks. He will need some financial help with this, but is asking the gov't. first to see what they will do. Please pray for him and his wife Chela.

Tol

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

"A very large family"

Dana and I have been traveling for about 10 days now, on our way to Puerto Rico. We're finally in FL, at Port St. Lucie, with our youngest son and his family. Sunday I preached at 2 of the churches that support me, where I've never been before. As usual, I was reminded what a large family the church is.

At one of them we didn't think we knew anyone, but there was a former member from Sweetwater where I preached from 1985-1990. At the other one I publicly said I didn't know anybody, but afterwards a brother we knew from Abilene met me almost at the door. Another young man told me of a young lady I've been corresponding with about living in the Dom. Republic this summer. And this doesn't include all the connections that were made with other brethren in other places we both knew.

I was also visiting with a preacher I know from KY a few weeks ago who had visited a church I know well. He told me it was a little strange--out of 200 or so people only 5 spoke to him at all. Sometimes, our family doesn't act like the family they are. If someone were to visit the church where you worship, how would they be treated?

Tol

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Could this be part of the problem?

Recently I was in another city and needed a ride to the airport. After locating a church on one of the internet directories, I went to their website and called one of the elders. I didn’t really know anyone in this town, so I had to pick someone at random. As it happened, we made a connection (someone we both knew) within about 5 minutes and he was going to work on finding someone to give me a ride.

A couple of weeks later I actually needed the ride and the night before, I called to find out who would give me a ride—name, phone #, etc. Another of the elders had agreed to take me, but like so many of us, he had forgotten a prior engagement, so couldn’t. The two conferred and could not think of anyone in the congregation who might be available to taxi me. To their credit, they did offer to reimburse me for my taxi fare. Again, I don’t know how large the church there is, but 4 elders would generally indicate a larger church.

Brethren, are we tooooo busy? If no one has time to help a preacher, will we make the time to become friends with the lost? Will we take the time to serve a brother or sister in need? Do we have the time to evangelize, or are we too busy?

Could this have anything to do with the fact that most churches of Christ in the States are not growing? True, brethren are always shifting from one congregation to another—whether they have moved to a new location, they got upset with another congregation, etc. But how many churches are really growing by baptisms, whether their own children or “outsiders”? Conversion takes a lot of work, which takes time—are you willing to make the time it takes?

Tol

It's official!

As of about 11:45 PM, April 30th we now own a home in Puerto Rico. The closing was set up for 7:30 PM and by the time everybody explained everything in great detail to Dana and she signed all the papers it was 11:45.

Our new address is below in the proper format:

Urb. Valle Verde 1
Rio Turabo AW15
Bayamon, PR 00961

We will retain the same cell phone number for awhile: (931) 797-2300 I will post our new landline phone # when we get it. My e-mail address has also changed to: tolburk@gmail.com. Dana’s remains the same: danagburk@hotmail.com

We have 3 bedrooms so we have room for company—just check with us for dates.

Tol