We accept the reality of the world with which we are presented.

We finish our series based on The 10 Dumbest Things Christians Do, by Mark Atteberry. The following are some notes from the Sunday school lesson at Providence Church.

DUMB MOVE #10: Accepting the Unacceptable

“Tolerance is the virtue of those who believe in nothing.”
– Ryan Dobson

Atteberry notes 2 things about the enemy described in Matthew 13:24-25.
• The enemy is calculating. [waits until everyone’s asleep before acting]
• The enemy is conniving. [sneaky, doesn’t set field on fire, but plants bad seed]

1. We need to wake up. We need to become more aware of what’s going on in our world and in the lives of our friends and family.

2. We need to speak up. Just as we warn people about physical dangers, so we need to warn them about spiritual dangers.

Atteberry suggests 2 reasons the secular media is quiet concerning “dangers that threaten our souls.”
• Their secular worldview doesn’t allow them to see through the eyes of faith.
• They figure it’s not their job; it’s the church’s.

As we sound the alarm, “we must never forget to reflect the heart and character of Christ.” [cf. Eph 4:15]

“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”
– Martin Luther King, Jr.

“One thing that will help you in this regard is to remember that while watchdogging is critically important, especially in an age when Satan has so many subtle techniques at his disposal, it’s not our primary mission. Our primary mission as servants of Christ is to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). So anytime you find yourself in a situation where you feel you need to speak up, ask yourself how you can do it in the least offensive way possible.”

3. We need to shape up.

• “If we’re going to impact our communities and our culture in a positive way, we simply must put some walk behind our talk.”
• “When we act outraged at the world’s values and then are caught living on the same level, we come off looking like fools.”
• “We need to save our complaining about the world until after we have cleaned up our own house.”

Discussion Questions:

1. Reflect on American culture over the last 50-60 years. In what ways have values changed? How has society become desensitized to things? Give examples.
2. Regarding “speaking up,” which of the following would you do (or have you done) & which would you not do? Why or why not? Which issues would get your participation level up? (a) Write elected officials, (b) Call in to radio programs, (c) Participate in a boycott, (d) Participate in a demonstration/rally/march, (e) Vote (locally, state, national), (f) distribute literature, (g) other.
3. With regard to “waking up,” how can we become more informed?
4. How do you wake up, speak up, and shape up without subjugating our “primary mission” (i.e., without apathy or obsession)?
   

It's already been good, now that you have served and protected me.

We continue with our series based on The 10 Dumbest Things Christians Do, by Mark Atteberry. The following are some notes from the Sunday school lesson at Providence Church.

DUMB MOVE #9: Allowing Wolves to Live Among the Sheep

6 facts drawn from biblical warning passages concerning wolves among the sheep:

• Fact #1: Spiritual wolves are masters of deception.
• Fact #2: Spiritual wolves are dangerous.
• Fact #3: Spiritual wolves are evil.
• Fact #4: Spiritual wolves always reveal themselves.
• Fact #5: Good people can morph into wolves.
• Fact #6: Spiritual wolves love power.

4 Reasons We’re Hesitant to Remove Spiritual Wolves:

1. We foolishly believe people will change without discipline.
2. The intermingling of personal relationships
3. We’re afraid of collateral damage.
4. We don’t know what to do.

6 Basic Conclusions Drawn from Biblical Passages Addressing Church Discipline:

• Conclusion #1: No one should get a free pass when it comes to bad behavior.
• Conclusion #2: Not all bad behavior makes a person deserving of confrontation or removal from church.
• Conclusion #3: Biblical church discipline is a process, not an act.
• Conclusion #4: Biblical church discipline should be carried out with patience.
• Conclusion #5: The removal of a person from the church’s fellowship should be the last resort.
• Conclusion #6: There should be no guilty feelings on the part of church leaders who exercise church discipline … and no animosity directed toward them by members of the congregation.

Discussion Questions:

1. “The Bible tells us not to judge, but it also tells us to confront troublemakers in church. How would you resolve what some people say is a conflict between these two commands? At what point does a person’s behavior ‘cross the line’ and become worthy of discipline?
2. What are the risks involved in church discipline? What are the risks of a lack of discipline?
3. Dagg said, “When discipline leaves a church, Christ goes with it.” Why might he be right?

I'm sorry. It's just that I've never seen people celebrate mediocrity the way you do.

We continue with our series based on The 10 Dumbest Things Christians Do, by Mark Atteberry. The following are some notes from the Sunday school lesson (taught by Cody Dixon) at Providence Church.

DUMB MOVE #8: Settling for Mediocrity

“When we hear the word excellence, we think of God, the Bible, and all sorts of secular businesses, celebrities, and sports teams, but, apparently, we don’t think of the church.”

Sadly, when it comes to church, people often feel at liberty to slack off and not give their best, to not strive for excellence.

3 Reasons Excellence Matters:

1. God loves excellence.

God is consumed with His glory and does everything to the end of His glory, creation, salvation, governing providence, etc. Nothing is done half-baked.

2. The Bible commands excellence. (cf. Col 3:23-24; 1 Cor 10:31)

3. People respond to excellence.

“Everyone talks about how expensive Disney is, but people just keep paying the money no matter how high the prices get because they know they’re getting the best.”

“… we’ll probably get one chance to make a good impression.”

What does excellence require?

“Excellence is intentional. It happens when people make a conscious choice to meet its requirements.”

1. Excellence requires courage.

… to challenge the status quo.

2. Excellence requires giftedness.

“One of the greatest obstacles to excellence in the church is the mismanagement of God’s gifts.”

• Some people are ignorant of their gifts.
• Some people know their gifts but refuse to serve in those areas.
• Some people know their gifts are lacking but insist on serving in those areas anyway.

“No one ever wants to admit that he’s not the right person for the job, but sometimes it’s the truth. Excellence requires that we serve in areas where we can do the most good … and the least harm.”

3. Excellence requires money.

• Fact #1: Quality costs more, but generally pays for itself in the long run.
• Fact #2: Quality equipment and resources will be a blessing to your servants.
• Fact #3: High quality always makes a great first impression.
• Fact #4: A commitment to quality says something about your love for the Lord.

4. Excellence requires thorough planning and preparation.

“The bottom line is that a lack of preparation and planning in the Lord’s work is the straightest road to mediocrity.”

5. Excellence requires perseverance.

Excellence is not easily achieved and is the fruit of prolonged efforts.

Discussion Questions:

1. When speaking of excellence, why would church not be one of the first things Christians would think of?
2. “Name some areas where you feel your church demonstrates excellence. Are there some areas where you feel improvement is needed? What, specifically, could you do to improve the quality of those areas?”
3. Why do people often put forth less effort where church is concerned (e.g., punctuality, reliability, follow through on commitments, diligence, etc.) than in other areas of their lives (e.g., job, sports activities, clubs, physical family functions, etc.)? Doesn’t the Lord and His Bride deserve better?

Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.

We continue with our series based on The 10 Dumbest Things Christians Do, by Mark Atteberry. The following are some notes from my Sunday school lesson at Providence Church.

DUMB MOVE #7: Missing Golden Opportunities

Outreach "programs" are good and all … “But sometimes I wonder if we haven’t overlooked and undervalued those moments that can’t be structured to fit into a program.”

5 Practical Lessons from Acts 8:26-38, Philip’s Encounter with the Eunuch

Lesson #1 … Some opportunities, if they are missed, will be lost forever.

“ask God to open your eyes and help you recognize whatever divine appointments He has set up for you.”

“The kingdom can be advanced or hindered depending on your readiness.”

Lesson #2 … God will give special opportunities to those who are committed and prepared.

Remember the Boy Scout motto: “Be prepared.”

“The single most important thing you can do to prepare yourself to be used by God is study the Scriptures.”

Lesson #3 … Some opportunities are much larger than they first appear.

“Clearly, you cannot know when you look at an opportunity what its potential is.”

Lesson #4 … Some opportunities bear immediate fruit for the kingdom.


Lesson #5 … The goal of every opportunity should be to point people to Jesus.


3 Reasons Opportunities Are Easy to Miss:

1. We have our own hurts and needs to contend with.
2. People are great actors.
3. The pace of our lives.

Discussion Questions:

1. “Some opportunities are larger than they first appear. Can you think of a time when you seized what you thought was a small opportunity, only to have it produce a huge result?”
2. “One of the reasons we miss opportunities to serve is because people are such good actors. What about you? Do you pretend to be happy and healthy even when you’re hurting?” … “How could you be more genuine about your needs without becoming a chronic complainer?”
3. How can we slow down the pace of our lives to better see and take advantage of opportunities?
4. What can be done to cultivate a passion for the lost?

“So one of the biggest challenges we face is to become more aware of the opportunities around us. We need to take our eyes off ourselves. We need to look for subtle signs of distress in people who may be too proud or too afraid to admit they’re struggling. And we need to slow down.”

Your rage has unbalanced you. You, sir, would fight to the death, against a knight who is not your enemy.

We continue with our series based on The 10 Dumbest Things Christians Do, by Mark Atteberry. The following are some notes from my Sunday school lesson at Providence Church.

DUMB MOVE #6: Fighting Among Ourselves

“I doubt that anything causes God more anguish and Satan more delight than Christians attacking one another.”


When a feud breaks out in the church … 7 terrible things always happen.

1. the church’s leaders are distracted.

“Time and energy that could be spent planning for the future, organizing new ministries, or seeing to it that the flock is well cared for, are instead spent chasing down rumors, smoothing ruffled feathers, and negotiating cease-fires.”

2. the noncombatants are discouraged.

Sometimes it’s the bystanders who leave the church when they get beat down by drama.

3. the Lord’s work is disrupted.

“… no Christian can advance the cause of Christ while punching the bride of Christ.”

4. the community’s seekers are disenchanted.

They’re already looking for excuses and want to see us fail, but interested parties will have perceptions reinforced in light of church conflict.

5. long-held beliefs are disregarded.

You may see folks do a Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde transformation.

“I’ve watched believers who were otherwise kind and gentle suddenly become mean and ruthless in the middle of a church fight.”

“… the rules of common decency are generally thrown right out the window like yesterday’s garbage.”

6. the congregation’s testimony is discredited.

“the entire body is branded.”

7. the Lord is dishonored.

When His children fight it’s an embarrassment to the Father.


7 Priorities (all verbs/action) that Will Create a Culture of Calm (instead of conflict):

Priority # 1 – Obey leaders.

Priority #2 – Confront troublemakers.

“Confrontation is hard. It’s an emotional, gut-wrenching experience.”

Priority #3 – Refute heresy.

Priority #4 – Meet needs.

Priority #5 – Suppress legalism.

“While never winking at sin, we must be tenderhearted and understanding toward thow who struggle in their faith and haven’t yet overcome all the bad habits they picked up in the world.”

“… giving them adequate time to grow into the faith that is second nature to those of us who were privileged to grow up in strong Christian homes.”

Priority #6 – Discourage arguments.

Better to lose an argument than risk blow up.

Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Priority #7 – Forgive sinners.

“… we are never more like Jesus than when we forgive.”


Discussion Questions:

1. “Church conflicts are minimized when the members of the church are submissive to the leadership. Can you think of a time when you disagreed with the leadership, but chose to be submissive for the sake of peace? How difficult was it for you to do that? How do you feel about that choice today?”
2. The church is to be both like an army and a hospital. What can you personally do to minimize the threat of “friendly fire” as well as providing a place of comfort for the wounded?
3. Atteberry refers to legalism as “spiritual nit-picking.” In what areas are you prone to such legalism? In what areas have you experienced being on the business end of legalism?
4. Why and how should we prioritize John 13:35 at Providence Church?

You're breaking up with me because I'm too ... blonde.

We continue with our series based on The 10 Dumbest Things Christians Do, by Mark Atteberry. The following are some notes from my Sunday school lesson at Providence Church.

DUMB MOVE #5: Hopping from Church to Church

“We treat church with a consumer mentality—looking for the best product for the price of our Sunday morning. As a result, we’re fickle and not invested for the long-term, like a lover with a wandering eye, always on the hunt for something better.” – Joshua Harris

Of church hoppers, Atteberry notes, “In their minds, every hop is justified.” Who are these church hoppers?


2 Breeds of Church Hoppers:
1. The Complainers

“The complaining church hopper is never satisfied. He finds fault with everything the church does and foolishly believes the church down the highway will be exactly what he’s looking for.”

2. The Consumers ~ This is a new breed of church hopper, sampling the best various churches have to offer.

“With so many new churches springing up and offering such a rich diversity of worship styles, preaching styles, and programming, there can be a smorgasbord of fascinating possibilities in a single community.”

By way of illustration, “You may prefer the fries at McDonald’s, the Whopper at Burger King, and a Wendy’s Frosty for your sweet tooth.” The consumer church hopper will approaches churches the same way.


Churches are not perfect, but in the search for the perfect one, hoppers keep hopping.

“Who came up with this notion that you should never settle down and commit to a church until you find one that’s perfect in every way?” ... “Satan did, that’s who.”


Atteberry’s 6 Conclusions about Church Hopping:
1. Church hoppers tend to be very critical.

“[church] flaws are their license to keep hopping.”

They will keep inspecting until they find something wrong to validate the hunch that this church was unworthy of them.

2. Church hoppers tend to have a “Me First” attitude.

“The bottom line: Chronic church hoppers love to be catered to, doted on, and spoon-fed. And when they aren’t, they’re gone.”

3. Church hoppers almost never get involved.

The church needs committed people that can be counted upon, however.

“God has always intended for service and ministry to happen inside the body of Christ. But that can’t happen without people who settle in and become steadfastly committed and involved.”

4. Church hoppers almost never make a series financial investment in the church.

“So if a church hopper’s heart isn’t in the local church (and it never is), his or her money won’t be either.”

5. Church hoppers make it a point to remain emotionally detached.

We need each other and if we’re detached from each other, we become easy prey (1 Pet 5:8).
“When God’s people lock arms and commit to watching out for one another, [Satan’s] opportunities are greatly reduced.”

6. Church hoppers enjoy living free from accountability.

“Good elders watch for and “blow the whistle” on conduct that would be harmful to the body. But, of course, they have jurisdiction over only the specific flock they’re a part of. That means a church hopper, because he hasn’t officially identified himself with any one church, is virtually exempt from any oversight.”


5 Blessings of a Long-Term Commitment to a Church:

1. Serving faithfully in one church over the long haul will give you a sense of belonging.
2. Serving faithfully in one church over the long haul will give you a sense of accomplishment.
3. Serving faithfully in one church over the long haul will lead you to some wonderful discoveries about yourself.
4. Serving faithfully in one church over the long haul will fill your life with meaningful relationships.
5. Serving faithfully in one church over the long haul will make you a powerful witness for the LORD.

Discussion Questions:

1. The essence of Kant’s Categorical Imperative* is that one should only do that which he/she would wish everyone else should do also. What would be the state of Christianity if everyone had the church hopper M.O.?
2. Why is church hopping bad for the church? Why is it bad for the individual church hopper?
3. How do you move people from being consumers to contributors, takers to givers?
4. Atteberry says that, “there are times when it would be wrong not to look for another church home.” So, while it may be easier to find invalid reasons to change churches, what are some valid reasons to leave? Are there some reasons that necessitate leaving a church?

*1st Maxim/1st Formulation: “Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.”

Boy, you don't know nothing. Mighty Mouse is a cartoon. Superman's a real guy. There's no way a cartoon could beat up a real guy.

We continue with our series based on The 10 Dumbest Things Christians Do, by Mark Atteberry. The following are some notes from my Sunday school lesson at Providence Church.

DUMB MOVE #4: Speaking above the Level of Our Knowledge

There are some more obvious sins, but what about the sneakier ones?

We all know it is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. But how often do we speak from our ignorance, above the level of our knowledge?

“A seasoned scholar will often speak humbly, acknowledging that the things he doesn’t know far outnumber the things he does. But a fool will recklessly spew rumors, hearsay, and speculation like it’s gospel.”

It seems to me part of the problem is that people want certainty more than truth, but that's a post for another time.

“Liars, gossips, and caustic critics are always seen as troublemakers, while a person who speaks above the level of his knowledge is often a good-hearted soul with the best of intentions.”

Our tongues can get us into all kinds of trouble (James 3:1-12). So, we should be quick to hear, but slow to speak and slow to anger. (James 1:19)

But, and perhaps ironically, “… people who don’t have a clue what they’re talking about never seem to lack confidence.”

Remember, the Hippocratic Oath: "First, do no harm." In speaking to other Christians, even if we can't be of help (Eph 4:29), we must first, do no harm.


4 Temptations to resist to avoid so we don't speak above the level of our knowledge:

1. Temptation to Analyze People

We are particularly prone to assume motives, even in the marriage relationship, thereby suffering from negative interpretation.

“… only God is wise enough (and fair enough) to make judgments regarding another person’s deepest secrets and private motives.”

2. Temptation to Explain Suffering
“For some reason, when we see suffering, we feel compelled to try to explain it.”

Remember when Jesus was asked, who sinned so that the man was born blind? Their faulty assumption was that suffering was a result of sin.

There were a plethora of explanations offered for 9/11. In my sermon the following Sunday, I made the following statement: "We as Christians and myself as a preacher of the Word are called upon to do exegesis of the Bible, not current events. It’s always very dangerous to read the Bible in one hand and a copy of the newspaper in the other."

Sadly, many who have experienced a miscarriage have been told they were being punished because of some sin in their lives.

Remember Job’s friends? What should they have done? (cf. Rom 12:15 ~ Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.)

“The reason why it’s pointless to try to explain suffering is because it isn’t always the result of sin. Sometimes it’s the result of faithfulness. And the purpose of it isn’t always to punish. It can also be intended to strengthen.”

3. Temptation to Spread Rumors

“The next time a juicy rumor comes your way, picture an open spigot with sin gushing forth. And then consider that your response will be a crank of that spigot’s handle to either the left or the right.”

4. Temptation to Believe Everything You Hear

What’s the danger? People act on faulty information. Even in a church folks can give more credence to a false rumor heard through the grapevine, as opposed to listening to the leadership says or bothering to find out if the rumor is true.

For example, I had a dear family that left the church because they were told there was going to be a church split. I told them there wasn't anything of the sort, but the left nonetheless. We did not have a split.

Before you believe and/or act on some things, make due diligence to determine their veracity.


How do you send or receive the message that you're speaking above the level of your knowledge? Atteberry suggests taking the “Apollos Approach,” quietly pulling another aside for instruction and/or correction. (Acts 18:24-26)

Discussion Questions:

1. With regard to the first temptation, how would you Christianize the following proverb: “Never criticize a man until you've walked a mile in his moccasins”?
2. What were some of the reasons given to explain the suffering of 9/11? How might some of them have been spoken beyond the advocate’s level of knowledge?
3. What is at stake with an incorrect explanation of suffering? In other words, why should we avoid that temptation as Atteberry suggests?
4. Why do we enjoy spreading rumors? Why won’t people take the time to do research before passing along what may be false?
5. If speaking above the level of our knowledge is the problem, what is the answer? In other words, what practical steps can be taken to not speak above the level of our knowledge?

Reject the basic assumptions of civilization, especially the importance of material possessions.

We continue with our series based on The 10 Dumbest Things Christians Do, by Mark Atteberry. The following are some notes from my Sunday school lesson at Providence Church.

DUMB MOVE #3: Living Below the Level of Our Beliefs

There are some more obvious sins, but what about the sneakier ones?

Atteberry offers 3 Sins that often “slip past our spiritual radar” in our daily living:

1. Materialism (Matthew 6:21) ~ An attitude of the heart, more than how much money is in the bank. It's a malady that can affect you regardless of income or things possessed.

“Take an honest inventory of your life and see if you find any evidence of materialism.”
• “Are you so deep in credit card debt that you need a snorkel to breathe?”
• “Are your closets and garage jam-packed with stuff you never use and can’t even remember why you bought?”
• “Do you find spending money at the mall an exhilarating experience, but putting money into the offering plate a painful one?”

“There’s no way to do the math, but just imagine if we could add up all the time, energy, and money Christian people waste on the pursuit of things they don’t need and will probably never wear or use.”

2. Worry (Philippians 4:6) ~ An attitude of the heart, more than presence or absence of difficulties.

“The naïve don’t have much of a problem with worry.”

“It seems logical to think that older people would worry less, but the opposite is usually true. We tend to worry more because we know from experience how cruel life can be.”

Worry not only steals your joy, but “it also serves as a wrecking ball to your witness. It’s a flashing neon sign you carry around with you … a sign that says, ‘Don’t be fooled by my words; I really don’t trust God to take care of me!’”

3. Superiority (Luke 18:11-14) ~ An attitude of the heart, more than accomplishments.

“I, too, have slipped into that cocky, superior attitude that causes me to throw out words of judgment and condemnation as easily as I might make a comment about the weather.”

“And I, too, have a spiritual rap sheet … enough embarrassing failures on my record to completely disqualify me from ever judging someone else. But I do it anyway.”

“This, of course, is one of the biggest reasons why unbelievers hate us so much. They see us a pious, condescending snobs.”


Just as athletes need to play to their potential, Atteberry offers 2 Ways to “Elevate Our Game” with regard to living our faith:

1. Put the power back into preaching. (2 Tim 3:16-17)

“Have we become so obsessed with seeker-friendly that we’re reluctant to offer the whole counsel of God?”

2. Move your heart closer to the Lord. (Isaiah 29:13; cf. John 14:21)

“Here’s the bottom line: History proves that when powerful preaching and tender hearts come together in the presence of almighty God, incredible things always happen. Lives are changed. Families are changed. Churches are changed. Sometimes entire communities are changed. But when the meat of the gospel is replaced by spiritual junk food and the hearts of worshippers are far away, then people will be able to go right on living, guilt-free, far below the level of their beliefs.”


Discussion Questions:
1. “Of the three sins mentioned in this chapter—materialism, worry, and an attitude of superiority—which one have you found is the most likely to fly under your radar and take up residence in your life? Could you add others to the list? What would they be?”
2. Atteberry wrote: “We may believe that God is alive, on His throne, and in control. But when we allow ourselves to worry, we’re living below the level of that belief.” What are the beliefs we’re living below when we fall into the sins of materialism and superiority?
3. Regarding each of those 3 aforementioned sins, what is the antidote of each? In other words, what truths can renew your mind (cf. Rom 12:2) for each to get you back on track?

“A hypocrite knows more than he is willing to do; but a true saint desires to do what he knows, and to know more that he may do more, and better.” - Puritan Vavasor Powell

A PERSON is smart. PEOPLE are dumb, panicky, dangerous animals and you know it.

We continue with our series based on The 10 Dumbest Things Christians Do, by Mark Atteberry. The following are some notes from the Sunday school lesson at Providence Church.

DUMB MOVE #2: Winning People to the Church Rather than to the LORD

According to Gunny, there are 2 ditches into which people can drive, with regard to church importance:

1. 1. Church is an option
2. 2. Church is an idol

It would seem Atteberry is particularly dealing with those for whom (their) church becomes an idol that is prioritized over Christ. People put their faith in church, rather than in Christ.

Could part of the problem be the expectation that people expect the church do or be what only Jesus can? Is the church oversold and Jesus undersold?

“They come into the body with all kinds of false assumptions and unrealistic expectations. They begin their faith experience with their hopes and dreams pinned on a group of imperfect people rather than the Lord of the universe. How can they help but be disappointed? How can we be surprised when they leave?”

Like with medication from the pharmacy, there are certain warnings people need to know about church.

What people need to know about the church:

• Warning #1: You will encounter some difficult and unpleasant people.

“I frequently say that I’ve met some of the greatest people in the world in church. What I rarely say (but what is just as true) is that I’ve also met some of the weirdest, most irritating people in church.”

“Some people are shocked when they get their feelings hurt at church. Considering the odd assortment of people who make up the average congregation, I’ve always thought it would be a lot more shocking if they didn’t get their feelings hurt!”


• Warning #2: The church you join is not always going to be like it is today.

“So change is inevitable, but nothing to be afraid of.”

Changes in pastor, music, location, and fellowship (but what happens when factions arise & a fight breaks out?) are those most likely to most difficult for members to deal with.

“… even good changes can seem bad if you aren’t expecting them.”


What people need to know about Jesus:

• Jesus, not the church, is the way.

• Jesus, not the church, is the truth.

• Jesus, not the church, is the life.

“… our witnessing needs to be Christ-centered and not church-centered.”


“We should never be surprised when there are defections among the Lord’s followers. Nor should we panic. After all, Jesus Himself didn’t have a 100 percent retention rate.”

“But we must take responsibility for the many people who became disillusioned because we misled them into thinking that the church would be the answer to all their problems—that it would save them, transform their lives, and meet all their needs.”


Remember Gunny's 2 ditches?

1. 1. Church is an option
2. 2. Church is an idol

Atteberry tells the story of how Michelangelo fashioned his statue of David. He did so by first constructing a house around the stone in which to work. Similarly, the church is the house/environment in which the Lord does His work of sculpting.

"Many people come into it possessing no spiritual form or beauty and emerge sometime later completely transformed. But it isn't the house that brings about those changes, it's the Master Sculptor."

Getting people into a church is important, but their hope lies in the one who makes the transformation.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are the dangers in making the church an idol, expecting the church to do what only Christ can? How do you know if you or others have fallen into this trap?
2. The primary relationship for the Christian is with Christ. But why must we remember that the secondary relationship to the church is not expendable or optional? What are the dangers of making the church optional, unnecessary in the process whereby God makes us more like Christ? How can the story of the statue of David help keep the proportion right?
3. Why might a church “market” itself in such a way that the church is oversold and Jesus is undersold?
4. Of Atteberry’s two “warnings” about the church, which is more vital for visitors of Providence Church to know? How can those warnings be communicated honestly, but without scaring everyone away?

(Click to buy a copy of The 10 Dumbest Things Christians Do, especially if you want to read along.)

I bought a suit. You seen it. Now it's covered in mud.

We continue with our series based on The 10 Dumbest Things Christians Do, by Mark Atteberry.

DUMB MOVE #1 ... Slinging Mud on the Bride of Christ

Jesus is the groom (John 3:29) and His church is His beloved bride (Rev 21:9), which He loved so much He gave His life for her (Eph 5:25-27). Think of your potential ire if someone was defaming your spouse, but that's what is done when Christians sling mud on the church.

Atteberry notes 4 types of Christians responsible for the majority of mud slung on the bride of Christ:

1. The Missing - those AWOL, having left the church
"regardless of how they leave, sooner or later someone is going to notice and ask why. At that point, they will have two choices: take responsibility or play the blame game."
Typically, it is the latter and the mud starts to fly, because "every human being alive has a buck-passing gene that flares up every now and then."

2. The Malcontents - those "chronic complainers, the squeaky wheels that no amount of grease will ever silence"
They will "make the bride of Christ sound like a tramp to those who don't know her."

3. The Moochers - those who "have somehow gotten the idea that the church exists for the sole purpose of meeting their needs."
They have what Atteberry calls the "motel mentality."
These mud slingers "judge the church solely on the basis of the way it caters to their whims." "They walk in expecting everything to be perfectly prepared for their comfort and convenience, and walk out leaving the bed unmade and all their dirty towels piled up on the bathroom floor."

4. The Misbehavers - those who embarrass the church by their behavior in the community
"They don't just sling mud on the bride of Christ. They pick up handfuls of it and smear it all over her. And then they haul off and punch her in the nose for good measure."


We've all know, and perhaps still know, folks in each of these categories, but Atteberry cautions us to look inward. "Please don't assume that when I identify blundering believers, I must be talking about someone else. Have the courage to ask, 'Lord, who is it? Am I the one who does these things?'"

Atteberry offers 3 devastating results of mudslinging:

1. When mud is slung, the devil is handed an opportunity.
"There's no doubt in my mind that Satan's favorite believers are the missing, the malcontents, the moochers, and the misbehavers--for the simple reason that they create endless opportunities for him to make the church look bad."

2. When mud is slung, the lost are handed an excuse.
The unbeliever is further entrenched in the notion that he/she doesn't need to be a Christian, to be a part of the body of Christ. Who would want to be with those hypocrites?

3. When mud is slung, the Lord is handed a heartache.
Because Christ cherishes church (Eph 5:29), it is injurious to Him when His bride is defamed.

Atteberry offers 4 diagnostic questions to see if you're a (potential) mudslinger:

1. When you have a problem with your church, do you approach your leaders, or do you just start blabbing about it to anyone who will listen?
2. What is your church contentment quotient? (result of subtracting the number of communities in which you've lived from the number of churches you've attended; the lower the better)
3. Do you have any habits or enjoy any activities that you would hate for your church leaders to find out about?
4. How long has it been since you bragged about your church?

Atteberry asks, "Have you been slinging mud on the bride of Christ for so long that you don't even realize you're doing it?"

Perhaps even more incisive, he asks, "Is it possible that you have become more of a hindrance than a help to your church?"

My thoughts ...

• It seems to me that many mudslingers are often unaware of the damage they're causing.
• Under the guise of being honest in criticism or striving for perfection, malcontents will demotivate people with great efficiency.
• Though the misbehavers may (per Atteberry) sling the most mud on the bride, I have found them to be easier to deal with than the missing, the malcontents, or the moochers. At least the misbehavers are more likely to recognize their behavior as sinful. The other three often create a veneer of spirituality to cloak their mudslinging actions, so they often see themselves as righteous.
• While it's easy to get angry or frustrated by these mudslingers, I mostly feel sorry for them, for they have no idea that the Lord doesn't take it lightly when that which He loves is injured.

(Click to buy a copy of The 10 Dumbest Things Christians Do, especially if you want to read along.)

Just when I thought you couldn't get any dumber, you go and do something like this ... and totally redeem yourself!

The book's cover was too enticing to leave in the "Super Bargain" section: The 10 Dumbest Things Christians Do, by Mark Atteberry.

I've decided it's a worthwhile read, but also worthy of a blog series and perhaps even a Sunday school series.

By way of introduction, I share some quotes and the table of contents, intending to offer a weekly post interacting with each chapter's theme.

Along the way, I welcome your feedback, stories, and suggestions for "dumbest moves" runners up.

"Right now, there's every reason to believe that several people in your church are working daily to frustrate God and hinder the progress of His kingdom." (xi)

These 10 are things often done in ignorance. That is, the people aren't intentionally trying to sabotage the work of God with their actions, but they are nonetheless.

Why do Christians do these dumb things? According to the Mark Atteberry ...

1. "in some cases there's no 'book, chapter, and verse' that condemns them. As a result, they're very rarely discussed, let alone denounced, from the pulpit or in print."
2. "they often involved some sort of religious activity or behavior that makes it easy for us to blindly accept them."
3. "they tend to be things we've done for years without anyone ever shrieking in horror, calling the cops, or telling us we can no longer serve on the deacon board."
4. "On the contrary, some of the dumb things we do actually earn us respect and hearty congratulations from other believers who are just as blind to them as we are." (xii)

One of the things that rang true with me was his observation that these 10 dumbest things not only act to frustrate God's activity, but they must please the devil, who loves to see God's church in-fighting and being selfish and unsuccessful.

"I'm going to identify what I believe are the ten dumbest things we do to frustrate God and keep the devil in stitches." (xiii)

What are these 10 dumbest things?

• Dumb Move #1: Slinging Mud on the Bride of Christ
• Dumb Move #2: Winning People to the Church Rather Than to the LORD
• Dumb Move #3: Living Below the Level of Our Beliefs
• Dumb Move #4: Speaking Above the Level of Our Knowledge
• Dumb Move #5: Hopping from Church to Church
• Dumb Move #6: Fighting Among Ourselves
• Dumb Move #7: Missing Golden Opportunities
• Dumb Move #8: Settling for Mediocrity
• Dumb Move #9: Allowing Wolves to Live Among the Sheep
• Dumb Move #10: Accepting the Unacceptable

I think the pastors out there will most readily recognize and appreciate these 10 dumbest things, even though we all might have been guilty of at least a few of these in the past. Hopefully, these aren't in our future.

Atteberry offers 2 Cor 6:3 as our goal with regard to church ministry:
"We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry" (ESV)

I pray our churches don't contribute to the trite excuse of "bad church experiences" being used to justify the lack of church involvement.

(Click to get a copy of The 10 Dumbest Things Christians Do, in case you want to read along.)