Still Enslaved

The town of Badagry, Nigeria was founded around 1425 A.D. It was one of the very first slaving ports in all of Africa. It is reported that over 500,000 slaves where shipped out of Badagry prior to the abolishing of slavery in the United States and Great Britian.

The ancient sites of the old slave markets still stand in Badagry. It was an eiree feeling to stand on the same soil where human flesh was a commodity, traded much like rice or corn. The old marketplace still trades in fish, corn, rice and little else has changed. The town was overrun with thatch roof shelters, crumbling old shacks and a people who struggle daily for their survival.

I asked a local preacher in Badagry how he would describe the old slaving village and he responded, "pagan, idolatrous and poor." As I walked down market street and stood on the trading blocks that once held slaves captive, I realized a troubling truth - the people of Badagry were Still Enslaved:

- Enslaved to Poverty

- Enslaved to Pagan Worship

- Enslaved to Sin

Centuries have passed since men like Abraham Lincoln and William Wilburforce removed the shackels and chains from slaving ships, but the people of Badagry still are not free.Today our brothers and sisters in Christ continue to battle slavery, but it is the slavery of sin.

Most of the people in Badagry and other places in Nigeria will never see much relief from poverty and want, but they can be emancipated from the shackles of sin and death. It was an honor to be in Nigeria representing African Christian Schools Foundation (http://www.africanchristianschools.org/).

For over 50 years this great institution has worked to free men from the bondage of sin. As I strolled through the city it was encouraging to see God's people working to make a difference.

Neglected Topics

Over the past few months I have had the priviledge of conducting workshops in a variety of settings (churches, retreat centers, and Christian colleges). The topics have covered everything from church growth to singles ministry to mission work. On the surface these topics would not seem to have a common thread, but it turns out that they do. During the question and answer sessiosn, one common theme came up in all of these programs. "Why aren't the churches doing a better job addressing the social, moral and practical issues facing society today."

Now I have never been one to bash churches, or make blanket statements about the condition and state of the Lord's work. That is the beauty of church autonomy - there is the ability to minister to the unique needs of the local church and develop outreach tools for the community you serve. That being said, it is troubling that the same questions are popping up over and over.

* Why aren't we being more pro-active in addressing marriage problems?

* Why won't churches provide practical advice on dealing with sexuality issues?

* Why are so many of our efforts now inwardly focused?

The overwhelming number of questions dealt with a congregations ability to deal with the really difficult challenges of 21st century culture. There was plenty teaching from the pulpits on sexual sin, morality and raising children in an increasingly immoral culture, but the concern came over how to make application of the lessons.

No one would argue that pre-marital sex is sinful, or that pornography is a social and spiritual disease that is destroying homes and families all across our country, but as Christians, what can we do to make a difference. How can we assist young couples who are struggling with their finances, or provide support to those with addictive behaviors?

I don't know the answers to these questions. I would love to hear your comments on the most pressing "ministry needs" in our churches and how we can address them. You can post your comments here, or email me at coffeehouse47@hotmail.com

Love One Another

I will never forget driving up to the church one evening and William (not his real name), was sitting on the steps just waiting for someone to show up and let him in. Will grew up in the worst kind of social squaller. He was the product of a broken home and his mother would bring men into the house and engage in behavior that no child should ever have to see.

One day members of the local church were canvassing the neighborhood and signed Will up to ride the "Joy Bus." It was the day that changed his life forever. He only lived a few blocks away, so he rarely waited for the bus to show up at his house. More often than not he was at the church ready to ride along and help out where he could. He attended every service, never missed a youth event, and pretty soon was leading prayers and giving short Bible talks.

I left for college and often wondered what happend to Will, at least until that cool December morning in Plymouth, MI. I remember a tall strapping young man in uniform walked in with his wife at his side and small child in tow. Will was serving with distinction in the U.S. Army, had married a Christian girl and was active in the local church.

How does a young man from such a troubled background grow to become a pillar in the local church? It was the result of a loving family. No, not his biological family, but his spiritual family. I have often subscribed to the belief that we can make a lot of mistakes in life, as long as we love one another, for "love covers a multitude of sin."

The Battle Within

Most of us have heard the native American proverb about the old chief who tells his son that we all have two wolves inside us that are constantly doing battle. One is strong, noble and good, the other is wicked and evil. The son asks, "which wolf is the strongest?" and the old chief responds, "the one that you feed."

There is a lot of truth behind that old proverb. Paul recognized this in Romans 7:15-25 when he discusses the struggle between the spiritual and the carnal, between law and grace. In verse 15 he says, "I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate." In Paul's case he was struggling with turning loose of the law of Moses, but the principle is the same for each of us.

Satan attacks us where we are most vulnerable. It may be an addiction to drugs or alcohol, or our professional ethics in the workplace. When we look in the mirror we don't always see what we want to see. I wake up hoping to see the image of Christ, but always seem to fall a little short somewhere along the way.

For years I prayed that God would remove the struggles and conflict from my life. I was tired of being disappointed by others, but more importantly I was tired of disappointing myself. I am just starting to realize that God has tucked away hidden blessings in my struggles. What possible blessings could come from conflict, struggle and disappointment?

1. I am reminded of my dependence on God.
2. I am brought daily to my knees in prayer.
3. I am humbled by God's forgiveness and grace.
4. I am thankful for His sacrifice for my sin.
5. I look forward to a home with no sorrow or tears.

So what is the upside of all these challenges? After revealing to us his struggle Paul tells us, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:1, 2).