Is California Religious?

Last month Gallup released the results of a simple poll, asking: “Is religion an important part of your daily life?” They published a table showing the percentage of people who answered “Yes” on a state-by-state basis. Mississippi, Alabama, and South Carolina topped the list, with at least 80% saying “Yes.” Vermont and New Hampshire sat at the bottom of the list, with 42% and 46% positive responses.

So how did Californians answer? 57% said “Yes,” meaning that 38 states were higher than California and 12 states were lower. I think this is about what I would have expected. California is a fairly irreligious place, yet not a religious wasteland like New England. For every person we meet who wants nothing to do with religion, we meet another who fits the Bible-Belt stereotype: he made a decision at a crusade sometime, and he is certain that he is saved even though his life shows no evidence of following Christ. Simply put, it’s hard to stereotype Californians religiously. I’m not surprised that we landed toward the bottom – but not at the bottom – of Gallup’s list.

Happy Belated Birthday, Evolution

Three birthday presents:

• The latest gallup poll showing that a whopping 39% of Americans believe in evolution.
• The documentation of “astonishing richness” in polar sea species
• This quote from The Economist, citing Simon Conway-Morris, a palaeontologist at Cambridge University:  “On the source of moral systems and consciousness, [Conway-Morris] says, ‘we [evolutionists] are nowhere near an answer.’” (Feb 7, p.74)

Christian Life Conference

My parents, John and Sue Lovegrove, were here for 10 days for our first “Christian Life Conference.” Dad spoke in 4 Sunday services; Mom spent an hour and a half speaking to the ladies; Dad spoke at a Valentine’s brunch for our couples; and Dad spent an hour and a half with the men. I am very thankful for how the Lord directed in all of it. We had about 20 ladies come to their session and about 20 men at theirs. Eric & Alicia did a fantastic job with the couples’ brunch. Mom and Dad were impressed with how clearly our church people love to be together. It was healthy for our church family to hear from a more mature voice.

Of course there was also a very personal side to all of this. It was Dad’s prayer that one of his children would be a pastor. Getting to participate in the ministry here was a dream come true for him (or “lifetime experience,” as he called it). It was also a joy for me. I am very proud of Dad and his faithfulness to the Lord for more than 50 years. Though I am his son, we are more than one generation of preachers apart (he was trained in the late 50’s; I was trained in the late 90’s). Yet by God’s grace there is no conflict between us, no disconnect between generations. We love the same Bible and shepherd under the same Great Shepherd. Working together on a conference like this was a delight. Following his example is my privilege and stewardship.

Nothing More Intoxicating

My latest issue of Fast Company magazine has this quote on the cover: There’s nothing more intoxicating than doing big, bold things. This comes from a young man who is CEO of a web company that puts TV programs online. This is both thrilling and sad: sad because this particular website is helping to promote all sorts of twisted, godless views of life in this world; sad because this man will eventually find that the intoxication of making money wears off, and like so many others he may well turn to literal intoxication to fill the void. But this is thrilling because it reflects a reality about our makeup in the image of God: we are wired to find excitement in doing big, bold things. God lays out a big, bold mission in Genesis 1: be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and rule … over every living thing that moves on the earth. That’s pretty big and bold! Or these words: make disciples of all the nations. Or these: He who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. Christ-like character traits such as meekness, gentleness, humility, and servanthood are not mutually contradictory with big, bold goals: I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I reach my goal. The problem is not that we attempt too many big, bold things for God. The problem is that we do too many little, insignificant things that have nothing more than brief earthly value – or no value at all. Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal. When we live for big, bold, eternally-significant things, there is nothing more intoxicating: because the Creator wired us for this.

Surveying for the next church planting location

I know the Trues would appreciate your prayers as they survey various areas for the next church planting location. They visited some areas in the Inland Empire last week, and are also looking at some areas in north San Diego.

Buying a House: a Quiet Celebration

As of Monday, our offer on a home here in Menifee has been accepted by the seller! As housing prices soared beyond half a million dollars, we wondered if we would ever be able to purchase a home. Obviously times have changed, and the Lord has very graciously allowed us to be able to buy at this point. There is a lot to celebrate (and a lot to happen between now and having the keys, of course), but it is a quiet celebration. While we celebrate a home purchase at a low price, many in our church and community are going through the agony of losing homes they purchased when prices weren’t low. While we are thankful for a pay raise last fall that helped make this possible, so many in our church family would be thrilled with any paycheck at all. So praise the Lord for the amazing blessing of being able to purchase a home: and may He help us minister biblical encouragement to those who are hurting, and humbly remember that we do not know what our life will be like tomorrow.