You're Not The GateKeeper! Get It????

Over the last few years many church people, especially those who call themselves intercessors, have positioned themselves to believe they are called to be gatekeepers.  They pride themselves on being insiders to secret knowledge revealed by God to them.  They try to slide in and get next to National Christian leaders and get involved in their lives.  They have no education or influence on the culture. They don't win people to Christ. They just go for the inside secret knowledge of their own revelations and exalt themselves as though they are the decision makers in their city or a decision maker for God. Their goal is to attain the secret knowledge or becomes a member of an insider group of people who don't submit to local church leadership. In fact, they always find problems with local churches and their pastors which gives them reasons and grounds for not being corporate.  It's arrogant and unbelievable how these people act. In fact, recently there have been those who have given me prophecies of doom, told me I'm not of God, and cut me off because I would dare tell them - they have no influence on their culture because they neither know the gatekeepers of our culture and/or are not winning or influencing them for Christ.

History and Orientation

Kurt Lewin was apparently the first one to use the term "gatekeeping," which he used to describe a wife or mother as the person who decides which foods end up on the family's dinner table. (Lewin, 1947). The gatekeeper is the person who decides what shall pass through each gate section, of which, in any process, there are several. Although he applied it originally to the food chain, he then added that the gating process can include a news item winding through communication channels in a group. This is the point from which most gatekeeper studies in communication are launched. White (1961) was the person who seized upon Lewin's comments and turned it solidly toward journalism in 1950. In the 1970s McCombs and Shaw took a different direction when they looked at the effects of gatekeepers' decisions. They found the audience learns how much importance to attach to a news item from the emphasis the media place on it. McCombs and Shaw pointed out that the gatekeeping concept is related to the newer concept, agenda-setting. (McCombs et al, 1976). The gatekeeper concept is now 50 years old and has slipped into the language of many disciplines, including gatekeeping in organizations.

Core Assumptions and Statements

The gatekeeper decides which information will go forward, and which will not. In other words a gatekeeper in a social system decides which of a certain commodity – materials, goods, and information – may enter the system. Important to realize is that gatekeepers are able to control the public’s knowledge of the actual events by letting some stories pass through the system but keeping others out. Gatekeepers can also be seen as institutions or organizations. In a political system there are gatekeepers, individuals or institutions which control access to positions of power and regulate the flow of information and political influence. Gatekeepers exist in many jobs, and their choices hold the potential to color mental pictures that are subsequently created in people’s understanding of what is happening in the world around them. Media gatekeeping showed that decision making is based on principles of news values, organizational routines, input structure and common sense. Gatekeeping is vital in communication planning and almost al communication planning roles include some aspect of gatekeeping.

The gatekeeper’s choices are a complex web of influences, preferences, motives and common values. Gatekeeping is inevitable and in some circumstances it can be useful. Gatekeeping can also be dangerous, since it can lead to an abuse of power by deciding what information to discard and what to let pass. Nevertheless, gatekeeping is often a routine, guided by some set of standard questions.

We are called to "win the lost," "disciple the found," and "heal the hurting."  We are not called to sit on our holy derrieres and pray as though you are the gatekeepers. You haven't earned the right to be in such a place nor has God promoted you to such a place.  The scripture say "Pray for those In Authority" - not secretly undermine them because they are democrats and support causes and values you disagree with. You're called to pray for their salvation - which may not include them in becoming right winged republican leaders. In Daniel chapter 1 God used "Good looking, teachable, young leaders who were able to learn, master, and advise the national leaders of their time in the literature and language of the babylonians.  Have you taken the time, effort, and given yourself in learning the language of the culture?  Have you alienated or loved, engaged and particpated in the culture?  John 3:16 say "God loved the world?"  Do you love them enough to give your best to win them to Christ?  Just remember, don't be arrogant enough to call yourself a gatekeeper unless your a good influence in your own city or community.  What do your unsaved neighbors think of you?

The Power Of Story.

Every Christmas we tell the story of Jesus and how God incarnated himself in humankind's story. I have always wondered why the genealogy in Matthew 1 and Luke 3 were so important in telling the story. Most of us just skip over the so and so begat so and so but for me not any more.  The interesting aspect that now appeals to me about these listings is how there are more people in that list who's background is a little shady and not exactly who you would want to claim in your family line - just like most of us. We are not responsible for those in our families who generations ago made bad choices and hurt the family history.  Neither was Jesus. However, that's not the point.  The family story of the bible is one of redemption.  Jesus came to redeem our family history.

Ezek. 37:1-14 asks can these dead bones live.  Israel had a long history of people who obeyed or disobeyed... people long forgotten, dead, and their bones laid waste in a valley...  People who once thought their lives as important as our ancestors who've passed on from this life.  The prophet asks the question "can these dead bones live"?  The answer is yes. Their stories can come alive.  Through Christ family story and purpose can be redeemed and give us focus in directing our own lives.  When we pull the bones together (the story of our family) and give our family history flesh that provides meaning and hope - dead bones can live.  That's why I believe the story of Jesus' birth is so important because it puts flesh and bones on a story of God investing himself in our human stories.

As The Church Is So Goes The Nation...

A little over 18 months ago I was approached by some dear friends of mine to begin exploring the issue of "Division." Prov. 6:19 states that God hates... a person who stirs up dissension among brothers. If we know this is true then why do so many "Religious, supposed god-fearing people" engage this practice? James 3:16 tells us, "For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." Here's a great verse that explains it all James 4:1 "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Aren't they caused by the selfish desires that fight to control you?" I don't know about you but the political squabbling in the house and senate, in the media, education, business field, and especially in the church world is unnerving. I think in the Western hemisphere one of the major reasons we have so much strife and turmoil has a lot to do with the shift from modernism to post-modernism. It also has to do with moving from relativism to Sophism. Let me explain.

According to Wikipedia "Conceptually, modernity relates to the modern era and to modernism, but forms a distinct concept. Whereas the Enlightenment invokes a specific movement in Western philosophy, modernity tends to refer only to the social relations associated with the rise of capitalism. Modernity aimed towards "a progressive force promising to liberate humankind from ignorance and irrationality" (Rosenau 1992, 5). with new social and philosophical conditions. The era of modernity is characterised socially by industrialisation and the division of labour, and philosophically by "the loss of certainty, and the realization that certainty can never be established, once and for all. It's 20th Century thinking was all about massification, centralization, standardization, and classification. Central to this loss of certainty is the loss of religion. C.S. Lewis expressed concern about how the modern state could undermine human freedom and dignity if policymakers adopted the approach of modern social science. At the same time, he also doubted the ability of any government to permanently reshape and subordinate a nation’s citizenry. CS Lewis saw "modernism" as the greatest threat in the 20th century to the church. Why?

I think Dr. Leonard Sweet in his highly acclaimed book, "So Beautiful" says it best. The Church has become "colonial in nature" meaning it demands standardization, conformity, and sees success through massification. The bigger the crowd is, the buildings, cash, and assets are defines success and anointing. The sad point however is many "modernist" Christians think that their world-view which was shaped in "modernism" is a christian worldview. CS Lewis fought with all his might to stop this from happening. Now as post-modernism has taken root in American culture, "modernist" Christians fight it's influence in favor of modernism as though it's the gospel. This is one major cause of division in the Body of Christ today.

Post-modernism begins with deconstructionism. GenX is a deconstructionist generation. They are remaking the culture. They are a part of a generation that where decentralization, demassification, standardization and conformity are out. Relational needs are forging celebrating diversification, collaboration, individualism. My concern has become that because of the blow back resulting from deconstructionism that many who are holding the views that "My truth is my truth and your truth is your truth and as long as we can agree to disagree we can be friends has now moved the culture further to a different position called,Sophism. This means "My feeling's about my truth should be regarded by you and if you don't regard my personal feelings, or hurt them by not accepting my view then we can't be friends. "The best we can hope to do is convert someone from their set of beliefs to ours. This is persuasion. It has nothing to do with transcendent truth or knowledge. It is an art, as the old rhetoricians knew. Fortunately, our belief structures contain within themselves the possibility of alteration, of adopting a new opinion." -- (Stanley Fish, Atlantic Monthly, March 1991) Wow. Now that is division and the church is full of this thinking. The fruit of deconstructionism has now moved us from fragmentation to postmodernism. Propositional truth is out. Words do not convey meaning. It is interesting to note that Dr. Francis Schaeffer may have been the first to write in-depth about post-Christian culture. It is important to understand Schaeffer’s view on culture in order to understand his position on the church in these perilous times.

Postmodernism essentially posits the view that there is nobody in the universe. There is “nobody to love man, nobody to comfort him, even while he seeks desperately to find comfort in the limited, finite, horizontal relationships to life (Death In The City, 215). The result is that “God has turned away in judgment as our generation turned away from Him, and He is allowing cause and effect to take its course in history” (Death In The City, 216).

The postmodern generation is inherently humanistic. Schaeffer mentions six key planks of the humanistic world-view including:

A rejection of the doctrine of creation.
A rejection of total depravity.
Sees human nature as part of a long, unfolding process of development in which everything is changing.
Casts around for some solution to the problem of despair that this determinist-evolutionist vision induces.
Can only find a solution in the activity of the human will.
Therefore, encourages manipulation of nature and tinkering with people (Whatever Happened To The Human Race, 288).

This is why I believe what Dr. Leonard Sweet said in to my co-hort one day during Dmin program. George Fox and Quakerism will be rediscovered in the 21st Century and may be the best answer to the post-modern mind. I now agree. That's why I am working to bring attention to Quakerism, George Fox, and even William Penn. It gives Americans a hope. It represents the Christian faith in a way that can be embraced by the post-modern mind. It ends all this fighting in the church world... and gives us the opportunity to become missional, relational, and incarnationational in our thinking. Ghee, is it possible that we could exemplify Psalm 133:1 to the nation and stop throwing rocks at each other?

To all those friends of mine who are looking at William Penn and his relationship to the Leni-lenopi's as an example provided us on how to behave with each other- may I reintroduce you to I Cor. 13 which defines love? Love is PATIENT. Love is KIND. It doesn't SING ITS OWN PRAISES! It doesn't THINK ABOUT ITSELF. Love isn't RUDE! IT doesn't KEEP TRACK OF WRONGS. It especially never gives up on people....... I am no longer interested in hearing "What love can do." Or talking about "coming with hands free of weapons" when I Cor. 13 is ignored. I'm tired of all the shouting, accusations, and ungodly behavior - that the church tries to justify. The Church has nothing to say to Washington DC or this nation until it comes to grips with II Chron 7:14.
On an individual level I don't need to be worrying about everyone else's sin... I need only look inside myself and ask "How can I get get rid of the dissonance between what I claim and how I act."

Penn treated the native Americans ("Indians") with respect. He came among them without guards or weapons. He learned their dialects so he could negotiate with them without interpreters. His peaceful policies prevailed for several decades, after which those who opposed these policies came into control of the Pennsylvania legislature. Maybe Penn could provide us a political framework to return to our real American foundation... However, until the church learns how to be who God called her to be that nation has no chance of being influenced by her.

I come to you with hands free of weapons!

This morning I am sitting in a Starbucks that was the pub where the "Treaty Of Paris was signed" and the constitution was written. I've just spent two days in a wonderful meeting that enlightened me that "God is Bigger" than my little imagination can get around. The scripture is still true "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my ways your ways." Over the last few months I have been busting out of my comfort zone and connecting with church leaders across the nation. What a mess the church is in. I have concluded that "AS THE CHURCH IS so goes the nation." II Chron 7:14 is still very needed... however, Isaiah 58:12 is the task. Re paring the breach, raising up age old foundations, restoring paths to dwell in for future generations. The church is divided this way... God has told me thus and so. Another party will say God has led me this particular way. The first party responds and say well that's okay however, if you don't make my thus and so more important and central to your life.... you're not hearing God, you're not of God and I can't be in relationship with you. Sounds like the republicans and democrats in DC. It sounds like our work places and board rooms. Everyone has their own agenda and use the "God told me" to solidify and codify their positions. They have subterranean language and treat everyone as "Frienimies."
Recently, I received a letter venting their hurts and offenses on me. In other words, they had issues with me. I've done the same thing in the past and probably reaping what I've sown in others. Let me explain. I once wrote my Dad a letter I regretted sending to him later. The letter vented all my unforgiveness, offenses, and disappointments I had about my relationship with him... and of course it was all his fault. Certainly, I did nothing to contribute to the breakdown of our relationship with each other. After receiving the letter, he called me and said, "Mike, I got your letter." I responded, "Dad, I should have never sent that letter." It was one of those letters that needed to be written to get it out of my system but should have never been sent. He said, "Mike, I understand let's just forget it, put this behind us and I'll Throw it away. Okay? " "Yes, Dad I'm sorry." Nine months later, after months of trying to get him on the phone, he finally picked up. "Dad, Where have you been?" "I didn't throw that letter away!" He nursed his hurt for nine months. "Love is patient, Love doesn't keep track of wrongs!" I caused him hurt... and lost nine months of time I wish I could have had. I should have never sent that letter but I failed to learn my lesson.
I recently wrote a friend I was have difficulty with. I vented all my frustrations out on him. He got offended. He sent my letter via e-mail to many people around the country. I pleaded with him to forgive me for sending that "Vent filled letter." Like the letter that offended my dad that should never have been sent... I did it again but now to a dear friend. Proverbs 18:19 says "An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel." When will I learn? Our own Petty nature with a bit of temptation to reach into our arsenal of weapons to strike out at those who offend us is habitual and second nature to us. Offenses are the bait. We're filled with self-importance aren't we? "Don't take the Bait!" "The farmer sows the "SEED." Some people are like seeds that were planted along the road. Whenever they hear the word, SATAN COMES AT ONCE and takes away the word that was planted in them. Mark 4:14-15 How does SATAN come???? a more opportune time! God quietly speaks to us to deal with our old nature and not strike out at others. It takes discipline. It takes love. It takes courage to rise above our fray and build healthy relationship with the need to vent our selfishness - "You hurt me" attitudes. Michael Youseff recently wrote in his journal:

When we are serving and sharing Christ, the Enemy will be carefully planning his next and most effective attack on our lives. He does not sit idly, hoping that we will fall into temptation by chance. He calculates the conditions of the battle. He carefully works out the timing of his ambush. To help us prepare our hearts, the Bible outlines for us five of Satan's opportune times for attack.
Opportune Time #1 - Immediately after a great victory.
This is a time we feel least dependent on God. When we feel least in need of Him, we risk losing sight of how His blessing gave us the victory.
Opportune Time #2 - Immediately before a great victory.
Right before we experience some of the greatest blessings of our lives, Satan works overtime to derail our trains of blessing immediately before they get to the station.
Opportune Time #3 - When we are emotionally, mentally, and physically drained.
Lack of sleep, long hours at work, and mental stress can make us too tired to stand against temptation.
Opportune Time #4 - When we are waiting for the Lord.
Waiting is hard for everyone. Waiting on the Lord's mysterious but perfect timing can be the hardest, since His ways are higher than ours. Satan knows this and will tempt us to take the shortcut, causing us to lose out on God's answers to our prayers.
Opportune Time #5 - When we are in the house of God.
When we are in the house of God, our hearts are open to the Word of God and to His teaching. But when our hearts are open to God, they are also vulnerable to other influences, even attack.
We must guard our hearts, with vigilance, against temptation during Satan's opportune times. Satan's strategy is not new - from the beginning of time until now, he has tempted man at the same times, in the same ways. However, God has promised that He will provide a way out so we can stand up to temptation (see 1 Corinthians 10:13). Be aware of Satan's opportune times and look for the way out.
God help me to learn how to "come to others with hands free with weapons" - especially when they think I hurt them or offended them in some way! My dear old friend John Sandford said, "Where there is fruit, there is a root." Holding onto Offenses, hurts, and unforgiveness doesn't do a thing but cripple us. I Corinthians 13 says "Love doesn't keep track of wrongs."
I'm learning and practicing, when offenses do come, to "not reach in my arsenal of weapons, come back lines, defenses, and fire my guns." Instead, "Trying what Love will do" Be patient, kind, tender hearted, not being irritable, etc..." So, is it possible after reading my discourse on my venting letter with my father and my friend that I had an obvious root in my life that needed some repentance. I think God is calling my to repent and no longer practice venting through letter writing and then sending it.
Dad is in heaven, my friend is in the mid-west, and today I have reaped a letter in kind. Hmmm... Heb 13:15