Where leadership happens.

Over a generation ago author Richard Foster wrote, "Superficiality is the curse of the age" (The Celebration of Discipline, Harper and Row, 1978). He added, "The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people." What was true then is even more the cultural norm today. These are truly times of shallowness. What is worse is the way so many churches and spiritual leaders splash around the baby pools of life with people more adept at wading than launching into the deep. Into this world the voice of King David echoes across time, a hymn of praise to the One who draws us beyond life's surfaces---

Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves

have gone over me.

Psalm 42:7, ESV

The twenty-first century personality cult relishes veneers. Appearances are the value pieces in a world like this one, and that's not just a reference to looks. Dressing for success, living the lifestyle, frequenting the in places, even attending a hip church are visuals of this obsession with the look of things. In this society the media shapes our opinions of what's real, gives us glamour shots of the favored people, and hides the deeper stuff in a cloud of personal privacy sponsored by the national association of that's none of our dang business.

But, there's a hunger for depth. The things on the outer edges of reality just won't give humans what is needed to actually cut it in a world like this one. As Paul reminded the Corinthians, the outer things are transient (see 2 Corinthians 4:18). So, they have a good feel or perhaps provide a nice snapshot, but only for a moment. Even the boomers, my cohort, are finally realizing the folly of our superficial remedies and seem to be returning to church for some spiritual depth. The hang-up is that so many churches have replaced depth with lighter fare and they're all leaving week after week still hungry. Where in the world in the spiritual depth that can change people?

So, the nation is in a funk, the institutional church following the lead set by the beautiful people. And we've created our own replacements that do the appearance thing with depth but only that. It's a smoke and mirrors of performance lavishly staged to leave an impression of going deep. What are these counterfeits?

1. Authenticity

Vast numbers of younger Americans flock to churches whose leaders appear

real. The crude language, suggestive by-lines, irreverent attitudes, and spiritual

smugness give a suggestion of something deeper. But, being authentic isn't

deep. Watch some reality TV for lessons in the shallowness of being real.

They're usually profane and offer glimpses of life we're better off hiding from

the children. But, they're thin too.

2. Resonance

Connecting to the culture is the in-thing in the wave of modern engagement.

So often this link to unchurched elements of our society is how we

acknowledge them, reach out to them, and even normalize their lifestyles and

behaviors. We talk like them, dress like them, try to think like them, mimic their

peculiarities, play their music, tell their jokes, and pattern our church life so

they'll approve of it. Resonating with the mission field down the street is an

important function of effective church ministry. But, resonance isn't

necessarily deep. I mean, the local bar knows how to resonate with its

customers.

3. Popularity

The presence of a crowd doesn't equal depth either. Jesus warned his disciples

two thousand years ago of the deceptive lure of a multitude. He reminded

them of the two gates, the narrow one that leads to life and the wide one that

leads to destruction (see Matthew 7:13-14). Still, a culture bent on

appearances will put largess and depth on an equal footing.

So, my topic this week will be DEPTH: THE ZONE OF GENUINE SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP. My aim? To keep the challenge of making disciples on my personal to-do list, and to encourage others to seek depth in their personal life and spiritual leadership as well.

How great are your works, O Lord! Your thoughts are very deep.

Psalms 92:5, ESV

That's where spiritual leaders should lead, the zone of leadership, depth. It's where genuine spiritual leadership happens, in the depths.

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Remembering our brothers.

The above picture was taken at the dedication of The Citadel War Memorial during Citadel Homecoming, 2017. I took the photograph without anyone's permission as a personal remembrance of that day. It was Friday, October 27, 2017, my 68th birthday. The memorial is a remarkable remembrance, a dream and project of The Citadel Class of 1967. The dedication ceremony was also the beginning of their 50th Reunion. We have attended many chapel services, parades, homecoming events, graduation ceremonies, awards presentations, and other moving observances at my alma mater. Nothing has ever touched me as deeply as the dedication of The Citadel War Memorial, Thank you Citadel Class of 1967.

On that day, 759 names had been inscribed on the walls of the memorial, arranged in order of the wars in which these Citadel alumni had given their lives---

The War between the States 316

World War II 231

The Vietnam War 88

The Korean War 31 Wars in the Middle East 21

World War I 13

Lebanon 2

Each of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom were personnel of the United States military in some capacity---

United States Army 537

United States Air Force 89

United States Marine Corps 46

United States Navy 34

Active Duty Cadets 17

Allied force volunteers 5

If you would like to read more about The Citadel War Memorial, please click here.

Living in North Charleston I visit the memorial often, walk through the walls of names, and give thanks for their willingness to serve and give their lives in service of our country. Each time I thank our God for the many Citadel graduates who have served and now bear the honor of being recognized as a United States Veteran, including many classmates, The Citadel '71. Today, I am remembering these who died, these brothers who served so willingly and sacrificially.

The inscription of The Citadel War Memorial, written by John Warley, Citadel Class of 1967, prepares my mind and spirit to slowly walk through those walls---

When Country Calls,

The Citadel answers.

The brave warriors

immortalized here

honor all who went before

and who follow.

Duty done, they rest, so we may live free.

Speak softly in the company of heroes.

For many of us Memorial Day is anonymous and distant, symbols in a cemetery or a name inscribed in a family journal. Walking through The Citadel War Memorial brings the death of patriots closer to home. There are recognizable names there, men who were at the college during my years. They are Citadel brothers. Those names etched there help em remember these brothers.

Join me in remembering our brothers today.

The growth of fear.

Here is the sea, great and wide, which teems with creatures innumerable, living things both small and great. There go the ships, and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it.

Psalm 104: 25-26, NIV

Whether or not Leviathan and Behemoth were actual creatures in biblical times is of little consequence to understanding the Bible writer's mention of them. So. for the moment, let's leave the debate about their identity to the academics. As a proponent of the young earth creation theory and with a high view of Scripture I tend to take biblical accounts literally. However, those arguments often lead us on detours that miss the destination of understanding the Bible. Let's set that aside for now.

Like many of the Psalms, Psalm 104 is a hymn of praise to God. The very first verse sets the theme of declaring God's greatness---

Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, you are very great.

The remaining thirty-four verses are a listing of God's comparative greatness. Each element of creation depicts the splendor and majesty of the One who spoke them into existence. In verses 25-26, printed above, he mentions the sea. In my own heart it's placement communicates a profound message beyond the words: it is the last, and perhaps greatest act of creation on David's list. With such limited knowledge of the heavens and the stars at that time, the sea may have been the largest element of creation observable to man. After this list of the magnificent creative order, King David's thoughts turn to the sea---

Here is the sea, great and wide.

That Leviathan is mentioned has diverted Bible scholars for generations. What is this creature. Again, the answer is academic for me. Whether Leviathan is a dragon, sea monster, whale, giant sea snake, or a crocodile is of little consequence. One, this huge creature was created to "play" in God's sea. And, two, this creature is nothing compared to God.

The vitamin sea I need today is the reminder that nothing in this life minimizes or reduces the God who created everything, owns everything, sustains everything, and loves even me. It's incredible how this human mind can grow and expand the challenges of every day. That monster under the bed gets bigger the longer i cringe. The financial mountain over there grows by the moment. The family emergency reaches unfathomable proportions as the clock ticks. Every obstacle, whether at home, in the office, at church, or in the world at large gets bigger when nourished by my over-active mind. They are always bigger than me.

But, never bigger than God. The growth of fear is one of those human attributes we discover early in life. Somewhere in the process of maturity and growth, especially for believers, we must learn that our God is great, overshadowing the growth of fear that travels with us throughout life.

Selah.

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