Being an ethical minister

Here's a prototype of an Ethical Standard for Ministers.

Why is this relevant?

1. Apparently CC has no ethical standards.
2. This standard makes it unethical to participate in a church that was formerly pastored.
   

Thinking About Forgiveness

Here’s a way to think about forgiveness that might be a bit challenging to how many of us were taught to think about forgiveness. Personally, I fought this idea tooth and nail until I did a Biblical survey of all of the relevant texts and reached a conclusion that was surprising to myself.

Unilateral vs Bilateral Forgiveness Models
There are two basic models of forgiveness. One is the unilateral model and the other is the bilateral model.

The Unilateral Model
Most of us were raised with the unilateral model of forgiveness. We learned that forgiveness is the responsiblity of the sinned against. In fact, we may have even told people ourselves that if they don’t forgive someone who has sinned against them that they are in sin themselves. We took the words of Jesus about forgiveness in part, because we did not see them in whole. In the process, the people we told to forgive were often revictimized by us when they were unable to forgive their offender.

We said that the person who does not forgive is only harming themselves taking our lead from the pop-psychology movement.

We short-circuited the God given sense of justice that is in the sinned against person. We may even have suggested some sort of secret ritual where suggested forgiving a person without even communicating that in any way to the one who was forgiven. We did not leave judgment to God.

I no longer believe that the unilateral model fits the whole counsel of Scripture. What really fits the Biblical record the best?

The Bilateral Model
The Bilateral model of forgiveness sees forgiveness as an exchange. It involves the repentance of the sinner and the forgiveness of the one who was sinned against. The goal is reconciliation. It recognizes that God has placed in every person a need for justice. Repentance produces works which show the repentance. Repentance is a change of mind which results in a change of actions.

In the bilateral model forgiveness is an exchange. Forgiveness should always be offered by the sinned against. It may not be received by the sinner. As Christians we must be willing to offer forgiveness, but we cannot grant it until the other person repents. Our sin comes if we do not accept their repentance.

God is our Model
God is our model in all of this. God offers forgiveness. Jesus died for the sins of the entire world. But not everyone is forgiven? Why not? Because it has to be received with repentance. If forgiveness with God is the form of an exchange then why should it be different with us?

If we are always to forgiven then why would the Scriptures say this? John 20:23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

David Allender's newer book on forgiveness covers this subject quite well.

Phoenix Preacher moves

Phoenix Preacher has been following all things Calvary Chapel. In the recent days that means that they have been concentrating their efforts on Skip Heitzig and the unravelling of Calvary of Albuquerque.

Phoenix Preacher have moved off blogger and onto a different host. Their address changed to here. There's always a lively chat going on in there. Be sure to say hi to my buddy Tundra Man if you go in there.

It's official - Skip has left the building

The official word came from Calvary of Albuquerque yesterday. Skip Heitzig has officially resigned the board of Calvary of Albuquerque. No word yet on whether or not he will remain at Ocean Hill Church.

Skip resigns, sorta?

There was word in the Albuquerque Journal yesterday that Skip Heitzig has resigned from his position as head of the Calvary of Albuquerque board of directors. It was also reported on TV news yesterday.

The Journal article left it open for future involvement in the church.

This has not yet been confirmed by the church.

The Place of Judgment

Why Does God Judge
I was reading an interesting verse as I have been reflecting on the scandals around Skip Heitzig.

1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

The Barnes Commentary had an interesting comment on this verse.

The judgments which God brings upon his own people make it certain that the wicked will be punished. If he does not spare his own people, why should he spare others?

That is a powerful point.

Rejoicing at judgment
There is a general belief that it is wrong to rejoice at someone's downfall. Yet, the New Testament shows examples of believers being commanded to rejoice at the downfall of the wicked. One such example is when Babylon falls and the church is told to rejoice. It's even a given as a command to rejoice, taking the Present Active Imperative in the Greek.

Rev 18:20 Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.

Local group meets with Skip calling for his resignation

Following the spirit of Matt 18, a group composed of people who are local to Calvary Albuquerque met with Skip Heitzig and presented the demand that Skip Heitzig resign from the board.

Skip refused to resign. In retaliation he banned the members of the group from the church grounds.

What will it take to get Skip Heitzig to resign from the board? Will it take a promise not to prosecute him later for his actions?