One of our children had a thing about dinosaurs. I can’t remember who it was but I do know that we have quite a few plastic dinosaurs still knocking around the place. The largest dinosaur (a brachiosaurus) has somehow found its way to a windowsill in a bedroom now used by our grandchildren when they visit. When opening the curtains the other morning I noticed that the large dinosaur had acquired a Jesus pendant. I don’t know how or when the pendant appeared, but it occurred to me that the dinosaur did seem pretty happy about the situation.
Happy Brachiosaurus
Then my mind wandered off at a tangent (as it often does). The words ‘Dinosaur Church’ appeared from nowhere and the thoughts that followed were not about a church for dinosaurs but a church that has become a dinosaur. Then I found myself challenged about my own church and questioning whether it was a dinosaur church? After a sharp intake of breath I decided to let the question ferment for a few days because I felt this was a question I needed the Holy Spirit to answer. That could have been a mistake because the questions have multiplied since then! I then found myself in Psalm 51 reading the words of David as he sought mercy, forgiveness and cleansing after being confronted by the prophet Nathan about his sin in sleeping with Bathsheba and arranging to have her husband Uriah conveniently bumped off on the battlefield.
How do I put David’s sin into perspective with what happens in my world, in my life and in my church? First I am troubled that disciples are not being built in the church, and that the gospel message is not reaching those outside the church. Second I am disturbed by our ignorance about prayer and indeed about the way that we pray (or don’t). Surely it is time to rip up the prayer shopping lists and come to God in a place of true surrender in which the words that come out via our thoughts and mouths have been placed there by the Holy Spirit? And that I am afraid is the third point. Francis Chan wrote a book about the Holy Spirit. He called it ‘Forgotten God.’ How is it that we so completely manage to leave the Holy Spirit behind in our spiritual journey – both in our personal walk with God, and in our churches?
But what about the rest of the dinosaurs?
Finally I have to ask about how God is being glorified in my life and in the life of my church? Because if He is not then what is the point of a spiritual journey be it my own or the one that my church should be on?
So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honour and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.
We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. (Colossians 1:9-14 NLT)
Ray V. said:
Holy Brachiosaurus, Batman!
All kidding aside. . . I think most of us have times when we think our church is a dinosaur. I try to remind myself that the Church is Jesus, hung between two thieves and as long as humans are involved, there will be problems. It’s up to us to work through those issues and tapping into the Holy Spirit is as good a way as any.
I’ve never heard of Francis Chan until today, but that was a powerful, brief message.
David said:
Thanks Ray – an excellent reminder.
The challenge we constantly face is to remember exactly what the church is and what it is there for for. I sometimes get frustrated by the number of meetings and programmes in which the church ends up more like Martha than Mary. Same challenge in my personal life.
Glad to introduce you to Francis Chan. I also recommend Crazy Love, which I think was his first book.
Julie (aka Cookie) said:
I am a dinosaur in many respects David—and have decided I like being one—and I think the thing with the collective Church being “outdated” as it were, is and has become such an issue… and in so trying to become more “in step and or in tune” with a younger crowd…(perhaps more pleasing is a better term) the “newer” churches have adapted that feel good, happy, happy, everyone welcome sort of place mentality.
All about music, fun, having a good time—total acceptance etc etc….which is not the True and real Church quite frankly.
Its been an almost extremist approach in my opinion…
It’s like that old uncle who tries so desperately hard to be “cool” and hip for his younger relations that he actually comes off as being silly and totally missing the mark.
And so it is interesting that you would be drawn to a tale from the Old Testament (the real biblical dinosaur to many who have dismissed it as laborious, outdated and simply just old) and that of sin—something as old as time itself and then the Holy Spirit, something considered more new and mysterious….
I think accountability is a notion that is needed to be added back in to the church—our accountability to God and to our fellow man—it should not be a matter of individuality which we are seeing so much of –as in the Church trying desperately to say what is it we can do for you in order to keep you or to get you to come back….
But we must be willing to see and admit to our sinful fallen nature and see that we need the Church as much as she needs us—and so we pray now to the Holy Spirit for guidance—
Good stuff here David!!!
Excellent—and here you’ve gone and added another book to our pile 🙂
David said:
Thank you Julie. To be fair you have added a couple of books to my reading pile of late. I haven’t started the Derek and Lydia Prince one yet but it is there on the pile. There are no Accidents was a little shorter! I am currently reading Dirty Glory by Pete Greig. More challenges – this is a book about prayer.
I do think there is an inclination for us to try and sweep sin under the carpet in our lives and in our churches (perhaps an understatement!), – or reclassify things as not sin or little sins. Psalm 51 is a insight into the humbling of a man who sinned badly and was man enough to own up and humble himself before God.
I keep looking back to the early church and the realisation that we have made something that was so simple to be so complicated is troubling. Perhaps it is Simple Church we need (if we can admit that we are simple folks and stop trying to big ourselves up) rather than Dinosaur Church.
On another note James (3 of 5) has owned up to being the owner of the dinosaurs so perhaps we can pass them on now that he has a son of his own!
snowgood said:
Great video. I’m reminded of the new Vicar at St.John’s Crawley.
What makes him so easy to speak to/with is that he seems just like an ordinary bloke.
A humble chap, he and his wife were both coppers before signing up for Church Leadership.
They speak about “adding to his number daily” – that’s their hope and expectation, the journey’s only 3 weeks in, but we’re very encouraged thus far.
Liked your closing line” what is the point of a spiritual journey be it my own or the one that my church should be on?”
Perhaps the whole church thing became a “burden” rather than an expectation of seeing the Holy Spirit at work?
We all need a shake up from time to time, even the best of us. Peter got his beside the fire, and again as he was asked to “feed my sheep”.
It’s not a disaster to get things messed up, but it is a missed opportunity if we blindly carry on when confronted with an uncomfortable truth, look at these last few months as a “growth phase”, and wait for The Lord to pour out His Spirit, and blessing, HE is able”
Luke 1:37
Perhaps Chris & Jenny Orange can bring you a blessing?
Fascinating that you mention Psalm 51, we have a German believer with us this week, and we were talking about that Psalm just an hour ago.
snowgood said:
Ooops, i thought you’d see the video link – rather than it grabbing a chunk of your blog – sorry!
David said:
Not a problem Stephen! I have one of their CDs somewhere. 2 Chron 7:14 has been the subject of recent ministry at our church – if my people will … if!
Wally Fry said:
Sometimes we do become dinosaurs, individually and as local churches. Teaching and preaching truth has never stopped mattering. But have we, as Jesus told the church at Ephesus, lost the first love? Good stuff here, David. Comments closed here; blessings and enjoy!
Wally Fry said:
Reblogged this on Truth in Palmyra and commented:
Sometimes we do become dinosaurs, individually and as local churches. Teaching and preaching truth has never stopped mattering. But have we, as Jesus told the church at Ephesus, lost the first love? Good stuff here, David. Comments closed here; blessings and enjoy!
David said:
Thank you Wally.
Wally Fry said:
Thank you, David, for the reminder
Jessie Clemence said:
Wonderful! I know that when I’m relying on the Holy Spirit in my own life and for our church, I feel so much calmer. It’s not my job to do his job! He does it all so much better than I do. Thanks for the reminder!
Rachel Quigley said:
I read Francis book on the Holy Spirit quite a few years ago. He has some interesting things to say. I would agree with you that we don’t let the Holy Spirit lead us like we should. Thanks for the words of encouragement.
David said:
Thank you Rachel. It is a few years since I read the book. If my reading pile wasn’t so large I’d read it again! Currently working through Vertical Church by James MacDonald and Dirty Glory by Pete Greig.