Exclusive and Unique Cannot Be the Same As…

John Lennon bemoaned the fact that everybody’s talking about ism, ism, ism in his song “Give Peace a Chance.”  Not much has changed regarding that sentiment since Lennon recorded his song during him and Yoko’s infamous Bed-in in 1969.  Ironically, this idea that everyone should just abandon truth and embrace each other for the sake of peace has developed into a new ‘ism’- pluralism.  Therefore, for the next two days, the topic of pluralism will be discussed and debated at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary as part of the Greer-Heard Dialogue. 

Is Jesus’ claim that “no one comes to the Father except by me” valid?  Can’t a good, moral Buddhist get to heaven?  Don’t all religious roads lead to God?  These are the questions that pluralism raises as it grows in popularity in the United States and the rest of the world.  This isn’t just a big city issue.  It permeates our entire society.  In fact, it’s so in vogue they should probably change the name to ipluralism to better match its popularity.  Think I’m overstating things; let me put it to you like this.  Statistics tell us that 52% of all Christians in America believe other religions, other can Christianity, can be true.  In fact, more than 1/3 of Evangelicals hold this position.  This means that at lease 30% of the attendees of biblical conservative churches disagree with the notion that Jesus Christ alone provides the only means for salvation.   

Harvard University has launched what is called the Pluralism Project, an effort that on the surface seems very academic.  However, if you read carefully, you find that their aim is not merely to educate people about different religions, but to bring them to a point of acceptance of other religious views as equally valid.  Turn on the TV and you see how reality shows intentionally put people of different faiths and lifestyles together to promote tolerance and demonize exclusivity, thus further ingraining pluralism into the minds of Americans, including Christians. 

The fact is that the Bible and Christ are unique and make exclusive claims, claims that were not meant to be absorbed into to larger religious landscape but stand out and above everything as the only beacon of truth regarding God, sin and salvation. 

Check out www.4truth.net for learn the facts regarding Christianity and other world religions.  

New Church Plant in Metairie

Church planting is one of our biggest needs in the Greater New Orleans area post Katrina.  The newest effort is being led by Jim Louviere, a church planting veteran.  He is focusing on people in transition in the Metairie area north of I-10.  This means that a lot of his work will be in apartment complexes, a notoriously unchurched part of any city.  They are in the process now of conducting, what Jim calls, "pizza focus groups" which are designed to learn about people's lives and their attitudes towards church.  This helps Jim and his core team share the gospel in ways that connect with their target group.  Keep Jim and his team in your prayers as they seek the Holy Spirit's direction for planting this church.

A Sad Note

I was informed a short while ago that Greg Pembo, pastor of Vieux Carre Assembly of God, passed away following a stroke earlier in the week. I met pastor Pembo only once but his reputation of being an authentic witness and a man of integrity was well known among those that spent any time serving in the French Quarter. Greg went from bar owner to preacher through the grace of Jesus Christ and served at Vieux Carre Assembly of God for, I believe, fifteen years. His unexpected death is a shock that leaves a void not only with his family but in gospel ministry to the French Quarter. Please join me in prayer for the Pembo family in this time of loss.

A Great Time in East-Central Louisiana

I just returned from an On Mission Celebration for the OuachitaBaptist Association and it was a blessing.  I enjoy spending time with fellow believers and sharing with them what God is doing in the New Orleans area.  I also enjoy the ridiculous amount of delicious food that's placed before me.  That reminds me, time to hit the gym.  One of my favorite things about OMCs is spending time with the other missionaries and talking shop.  We have the best strategy sessions at these things and I think we all go back to our places of ministry with a fresh perspective on certain things.  

More respite than time off, OMCs offer a welcome break from our daily routine.  We get to step back and share the big picture of God's work in our area, something that can get overshadowed when on the field.  It lifts us up just to remember and tell all He has done.  We are also served and cared for by the most precious saints around.  The churches that host these events don't know how much we take away from these OMCs ourselves.  The benefit is defiantly mutual.