The bloggers are a buzz with with virtual ‘voices crying in the worldwide wilderness’. A call to repentance and passionate pleas that a pastor would not get in a glass box and ruin the name of Jesus and His church. That pastor that the world is talking about is my brother, Pastor Ben Dailey.
It is days like today that I hate being called a reformer because it seems like they have run out of heretics and false teachers and have aimed their blarrows (blog arrows) at pastorinabox.com. There are some preachers who desereve to have virtual pebbles thrown by religious bloggers who are known more by what and who they hate then by their ability to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ in a contextual missional way. They find it easier to sit behind their computer with righteous indignation and let their boney fingers do virtual “spiritual warefare” on their dell laptop because they have the time… A lot of time!
I know it seems weird that I a blogger would rip on bloggers but it is times like this that I re-evaluate being a reformed pastor with a blog and being bundled in with all these guys that sound like the three amigos who are declaring they are making Christ ‘infamous’. Which to them means “more then famous.” (If you have not watched the movie you will not get it but if you have you are loving that line.) I have my fair share of bloggers who take aim at me for various things that they do not like about me but not much considering I am just a fly in the blog world and no one cares about my blog, including me sometimes. I just think I should write about this pastorinabox.com considering he is my brother and he is the target of much accusation and virtual pebble throwing. I hate to sit on the phone with him as he is taking all the accusation in stride and trying to make light of it and then asks me ‘why are the blogs you suscribe to making such a big deal over me getting in a stupid box?’ It was at that time that I felt like what matt chandler said was so true, “I am reformed in my theology, but for the most part I cannot stand the reformed community, what an arrogant bunch of fools. How can a doctirne built on the total depravity of man and God’s grace in that depravity lead people to be so arrogant. Insidious in there attacking.” That statement just rang in my head as I talked to my brother who does not want to take it personal but when you get hit with enough pebbles it starts to sting a little. I totally believe in that but sometimes I feel like we are so obessed with truth that we have not grace. Scripture says that Jesus came with grace and truth.
So I thought I would tell you a story about pastorinbox.com, my brother Ben Dailey.
I am on the phone with my brother, as we do on a very regular basis, and he tells me about this funny idea. Then he recaps this joke that they are going to do with the local church family to get in this glass box for three days and let people watch him. I could not stop laughing! What you have to know about my brother is he likes his space and that he likes to live in comfort and so I could totally just picture him living in this box for 3 days. Now, what I have to say is that my brother and I come from 2 different worlds when it comes to ministry and doctrine. I am more of an ‘in your face’ calvinist reformer who screams at people and Ben is an organized executive who is a gifted communicator and big visionary. We get along more like best friends then we do brothers. But the one thing that we are most passionate about is Jesus, the gospel, and transformation in lives of people. I know him on a deep personal level and I have never seen a man more driven to advance the kingdom then him. What I love about him is the fact that as small as my ministry is and how different we are in style he always makes me feel like I am doing amazing things and impacting so many lives. He is one of the most caring loyal people I know. The bottom line is Ben is funny, one of the funniest people I know, and his church knows it and loves that about him! So when he told me how all the people in the church were going to crack up and it would be a time for the local church family to laugh and have fun, I was supportive because as much as I believe that the church should be a serious place I also believe there should be times to laugh and play. On top of that, hopefully others in the city would see the fun they were having and want to join in. I know that Calvary Church would get it and have a good old time with it. But I also told him that I knew that there would be a lot of negative press and bloggers that would go wild with it… he said ‘why it’s a cheesy idea’. I tried to explain to him that there are a lot of blogger who feel it is their calling in life to hunt for pastors and churches that do things wrong and expose it. I tried to tell him that it was mostly guys who have no life and are not ministering to real people because they do not know how to relate to someone with a face. These bloggers have a million ideas but not enough stones to try and do it themselves! They will eat your joke for lunch. I basically recounted to him what they would say and do. Unfortunatly I was right…
This is how I view it… Calvary Church gets it and they are having fun! If I am going to attack some ministry it is going to be for heresy and false teaching not for a church family joke that everyone is having fun with. GO FOR IT CALVARY!!!
This is how I would fight it… as much as these bloggers cry about how they hate attractional ministry because it is not what Jesus would do, they are getting reports everyday via e-mail about how many people hit there blog and how many comments are made. Suscribers are signed up and they are trying to figure out a way to get their blogs “or ministries” to grow while they spend all their time in a box on their computer trying to attract more people. (kind of ironic that Ben is only getting in a box for 3 days and they live in one.) They found a way to do attractional ministry that they so hate. Here’s how, they have already wrote about all the false teachers and hertics and no one commented so they had to move on to other things and write an article on pastorinabox.com, now all of the sudden their failing bloggs get lit up with people trying to defend their pastor and friend. They are loving it because people are actually commenting on there blogs. Look at how many of the blogs have no comments on previous posts until pastorinabox.com. While they are trying to defend Christ they are loving the attention, so if you are getting hurt by these computer geeks who want to be theologians who have heeps of truth with no grace and lots of prophecy with no love, then stop going to their site, unsuscribe to their feed, stop making comments and trying to debate, just let them talk and let the chips fall where they may. Man looks on the outward and God looks at the heart.
I know in writing this I am going to get berailed by bloggers but hey I like the comments and hits too I am just not afraid to admit it.
You are the man bro! All the national heretics out there and ole Ben gets the focus. I would suggest that Calvary congregant convey to their friends and family the point of Ben's challenge, the reasoning for behind their invitaion and Ben focus proclaiming the historic apostolic gospel on both Sundays. Then, the only one who will be mad is the devil!
That is how I feel Dr. Hanner. We need to focus our arrows on real heretics. I love your blog (http://antagoniz.com/) and everytime I go get challenged and get great insight. By the way Dr. Hanner blewitouthebox.com while he was here at lifeconnectionchurch.net. Thank you Dr. Hanner for coming and sharing the Gospel. Everyone loves you here and we are going to have you back real soon.
Well said. And it's worth noting nobody with any….hmmm, how do I say this nicely….nobody with any weight, credibility or authority has had bad things to say. So the rest of the blog leechers can keep checking their blog stats and feel good about themselves, nobody else cares.
LOL… amen!!!
Love the idea. I find it interesting that "the church" can be so afraid of offending or appearing different. I, for one, hope that what Pastor Ben does will expand the Kingdom.
Pastor Ben is the bomb … GOD put him on this earth to do what he doing … So quite hating on GOD ..
Brilliant, my dear son. You cut it straight, and it was well-stated. I appreciate your insight into the small-thinking bloggers who have nothing better to do than to sit online and rip on those whom they think are not as theologically astute as they pride themselves to be. I am convinced that if these bloggers would take more time to prepare their messages and quit taking them off of sermoncentral.com, they would have a much greater impact in the lives of the people they are called to serve and in the communities where they live. We may be theologically correct and at the same time terribly unloving to others in the faith.
I challenge our blogger friends to seize every opportunity to reach out to the lost, connect those who respond to the message of Christ to a loving fellowship, train them in the Word of God, and then send them to do the same. Pray for those whose methods may be different than yours or whose theology may vary a bit from yours, but let's not use the net to seek to slay those with whom we differ. I've got a feeling that this is probably more damaging to the cause of Christ than a man who is willing to do something a little crazy to reach the lost. Don't you think there may be a few more important issues to address on our blogs? Maybe we should stick to lovingly addressing those who are departing from historical orthodoxy rather than burning someone at the stake for their methodology.
Ben, I am proud of you, and I am blessed to see that you are willing to get in a box so that others will get out of the BOX to reach out to their community with His love. Keep letting the Holy Spirit use your creativity for His glory.
Dad,
Thanks for the comment I think this is your first one on my page. You are an amazing father and I truly look up to you! Thank you for showing me what it means to major on the majors and to minor on the minors. Blessings!
Hey Aaron.
I'm most likely one of the bloggers you're referring to in your lengthy tirade. I stand by my claim that this whole potential stunt by your brother is simply just hype and a man-centered approach to filling the pews.
You see, it all boils down to numbers, numbers, numbers. Call them “changed lives”, “souls”, “the unconverted” or “the lost”. When the dust settles, the main question will be: “how many folks came to this Easter weekend service so we can determine whether or not to put Ben in the box?”
It's all good though, we're all entitled to our opinions…that's the beauty of having your own blog.
Soli Deo Gloria brother.
- Erik
Erik,
You know I love you but you have really leeched onto this thing with a passion. You have made your opinions known in the blog world by you blog (kowalker.com), you have e-mailed me personally about it, you have gone to every blog that has a post about it and made comments linking them back to your site so you can get more hits or you can call it informing people but it is still numbers, numbers, numbers. So while you continue your "christ centered" mission to expose pastorinabox.com I am going to swim with my family.
Blessings,
Aaron
Aaron,
We'll just simply agree to disagree. When you come to realize that the average person spends 96 seconds at a blog and only 9 out of 100 post a comment, really, I could care less about numbers on my blog. I post things on my blog that interest me.
Your brothers stunt caught my attention on the blog "A Little Leaven" and I found it to be silly, man-centered and full of hype…so I posted it. I wanted to let other in the blogosphere know that this stuff happens when folks lose their grip on the belief in the sovereignty of God to draw people to Himself.
Take care Aaron.
Sounds good bro. agree to disagree. I do not expect you to change your mind that is hard for a calvinist to do… believe me I know. I will also agree to disagree that someone will have to loose a grip on the sovereignty of God to try and become all things to all men so in the end SOME will be saved. I think paul had a good grip on the sovereignty of God.
I can gripe about mega church pastors with the rest of our group but ultimately we have used our doctrine to cover our fear. The reason most people on the other side of the fence do not believe in our doctrine is because we are by great majority lazy evangelists and spend more time ripping on how others do it then actually doing it ourselves. I for one join in with the new calvinists who are trying with great success to change that tide.
Shout!
You Bro's need to "Calm Down". Wow! I am th stinkin one who is supposed to go crazy over issues. MyMy-My!
Now laugh and "Contend for the Gospel" and don't get "Contentious!" I love it..me..playing the peacemaker! Awesome!
Doctor,
it is interesting having you calling us to go crazy. If I am sounding contentious I would like to appologize to my readers and Erik.
SHOUT,
Thank you Dr. I do not want to be contentious and if that is what happened I appologize to Erik and my readers if I got destructive.
Aaron,
I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your concise explanation of Ben's heart and intentions. If people really knew his personality, as does the family of Calvary, they would see it for what it is…a fun way to encourage all of us to do our job!
I have resisted the temptation to weigh in at risk of being dismissed simply because I was on "wife-duty." However, when people begin to attack a man's heart instead of sticking with disagreeing with a method, I cannot remain silent.
I have watched Ben weep over people as he watches God delicately change hearts. I have watched him interceed for people who don't know Jesus. I have watched him rejoice and celebrate when he has the incredible priviledge of leading someone to the Lord. I don't know anyone who commits more of his personal time to pouring into the lives of the churched and unchurched. And, honestly, it breaks my heart to read people's ignorant comments about Ben's intentions. They speak as though are an expert on the topic and yet they misquote and recount incorrect details. They speak as though they have sat personally in a service under Ben's teaching or across from a table in an intimate conversation. In fact, not a single one of them that has said something negative, has ever been to Calvary or spoken to Ben personally. Sadly, they exploit the avenues (i.e. Facebook) Ben has used to stay so closely connected with the people God has placed in our lives to go for the jugular. Seems a little sneaky and underhanded to me.
I realize when ideas go 'public' it opens a new realm up for comments by those who may not really know us. But I must remind people like Erik, to be careful not to make snap judgements about the motives of the hearts of those in their cross-hairs. We aren't just some virtual names on your computer screen with no regard for the people God has entrusted us to shepherd. We love these people and take every step with great prayer and caution.
When people stoop to the level of criticizing Ben's attire or assume they know his personality based on the size of church we are so blessed to be a part of, it simply grieves my heart.
I find it so ironic that the very thing these people have an issue with they themselves are displaying…seeking numbers and notoriety. As you mentioned earlier, Aaron, every opportunity they get, they plug their own blog sites and have probably enjoyed the number of hits and notoriety among their followers.
I could go on, but it's pointless to deal with these kind of people. I simply wanted to echo Aaron's explanation of Ben's heart. And again….thanks Aaron.
You are a great wife, a wonderful mother, and a fantastic daughter-in-law. Thanks for what you said and the passion with which you stated it. We love you and are proud of you and Ben. Keep up the good work of reaching souls for the Kingdom.
Love you girl you are such a loyal wife to my brother and a great sister. I know this has been hard on you but you have handled it with great grace and dignity. I am so blessed to have you and ben in my life!
I just wanted to write something in response and say that many times in my life I've seen false prophets raise themselves up to be heard. For someone already being heard, raising up is just part of the job. I don't know anyone involved here but from the outside, I see a man who believes so much in his faith that he is willing to do something "inside the box" for a change. I think it is a great idea to challenge people to think. If it draws a crowd, great. Maybe the crowd it will draw are the non-thinkers. If it reinforces peoples' beliefs they already hold, great too. If it makes people come to see what they think is a crazy person, even better. It seems that the people having a problem with it are the people who wished they'd thought of something like it before Ben.
I give the "real" people here credit for trying something new and getting people to think. For the people that are only looking for things to blog about, this will just have to be something else that gets their fingers tapping. People are always looking for exciting things and Ben's pastorinabox is just that. It's something new and people want to be a part of it regardless of whether they like it or not. Hope it works out Ben and never let anyone stop you from being yourself, the self that God wants and needs you to be.
I have had the privilege to not only know the entire Dailey family personally, but have had the honor of calling them my friends. I not one to chime in on these sorts of things, but when I see someone of exemplary character like Ben being criticized whether or not his motives are pure, I have to say something.
To those believers who are of the mindset that Ben's motive is not genuine, I encourage you to bring your personal opinion into submission to the authority of Scripture. "But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice" – Philippians 1:18
I believe that if the Apostle Paul read some of these comments, he'd be sick to his stomach, and shake his head in disbelief.
Ben, I hope that all of hype and attention this is receiving will gain the attention of the AP and/or other sources of mainstream media. The more people talk about it, the more attention it will receive. I pray that God will use this to bring 6,000+ to hear the Good News of Jesus this weekend.
i just checked the web site and i jst don't get it. it's just a stunt, these guys would have a hey day if they saw some of the stuff i do to spur my kids and church on. keep your head us ben, God Bless
Let's get real here for a moment! What people are addressing in all of the rhetoric has nothing to do with the “Sovereignty of God,” “Calvinism,” or even “Contending for the Faith.” Ben has not violated the Holy Writ, nor has he done anything more than many other great preachers of the past who did creative things to reach out to the lost. People like Billy Sunday, D.L. Moody, and others were criticized in their day for the way they did things. And, frankly, some of what they did could be considered as pretty unconventional stunts all in an attempt to reach out to the masses.
Could it be that the real issue behind some of these scathing remarks is the need for some to salve their own guilty consciences for not obeying the Great Commission, while trying to point out the presumed faults of others who are attempting to do so? Could some be trying to move the spotlight off of their own seemingly ineffective ministries by attacking others who are growing and regularly seeing people come to Christ? Could their own lack of creativity be driving them to blast others that are trying to be effective and relevant in today’s world? I am afraid that often our unloving, hurtful words that are directed toward others are actually our way of trying to cover our own Kingdom weakness.
If people feel the need to correct an errant brother or sister, then we need to heed the Scriptural guidelines given to us. Effective correction takes place out of loving relationships — relationships that have been built on trust and mutual respect. (Not public ridicule on the internet.) If someone feels compelled to correct Pastor Ben, or any brother for that matter, for an issue of sin or error in their life, then they need to have built a relationship with them that gives them a right to do so. This takes time and a commitment to the good of the people loved. This is hard work, and it requires a lot of sacrifice. Many don't want to pay this price. It is easier to take pot shots with our long-range blog missiles than it is to put our arm around a brother and bring correction to them.
I want to challenge our blogger friends to redeem the remaining days to Resurrection Sunday and ask God to give them creative ways to reach out to the lost and hurting in the fields where they live and serve. If we all did this, then maybe we could see a harvest with greater fruit than ever.
Ben, we are praying for a Harvest greater than Calvary Church has ever experienced, and for fruit that will remain. Forget the 4000 goal, and go for 5000!
I think it's great. Before this, I had only heard of D*** In A Box. It's great to take an idea from the world, and use it to glorify the Lord.
I have heard that one on other sites and I have to admit I LOLed on that one. Except I think the first place I heard it was from ben. That is funny!
To be honest, if i were a non-christian seeing all the blogs talk about people they have never met before I would NOT want that, because it is just like EVERYBODY ELSE! You could go anywhere and find gossip magazines and stuff like that, and the sad part is THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE DOING, but they are doing it in the "name of Christians"!
I hate seeing people bash on my brother like that! I would like to see what they are doing to reach people!
I love you Aaron and Ben, you guys are awesome brothers, and i look up to you guys and your passions for God! Dont worry about "Eric" (if that's his real name). He really has some spiritual issues he has to address rather than making dirty comments about people who are trying to build the Kingdom!
God bless
Micah D.
Aaron,
My apology to your brother is linked below. I'm very sorry for my actions. If you can find it in your heart to forgive me, thank you kindly.
Humbly in Christ,
http://kowalker.com/2009/04/08/my-public-apology-…
Erik,
I am humbled by this more then you know! I know how extremely hard it is to apologize when you know in your heart your convictions but did not like your actions. I am and continue to be the worst at this. So i humbly except your apology and respect you more today then I ever have in my life. I love you and know that you are a bother with like faith and doctrine and I thank you for the sensitivity to my family and I. I will pass the message on to my brother! It is moments like this that the gospel is made more real to me. If I can do anything to serve you please let me know… I also would like to apologize for lashing back with any venom of pride I do not want to be destructive or hateful. Thank you for the note… I love you brother and may Christ Exalt you in your humility.
Thank you kindly Aaron for forgiving me.
I'm young, stupid, arrogant and in desperate need of God's mercy, grace and patience.
-Erik
I have written a note to Erik on his web http://kowalker.com/2009/04/08/my-public-apology-… We love him and appreciate his humble actions. This is the high road and he will be blessed for his obedience to the Holy Spirit. Thank you Erik!
Why I know That There is a God and That He Loves Me
A Personal Testimony.
Several years ago, 100 members of my church were enroute to a bible camp in the Blueridge Mountains of Virginia. They were traveling in a chartered bus. As they sang hymns, Satan was up to his old tricks. You see, the bus driver was an atheist alcoholic socialist and that day he was filling his coffee mug with vodka. As the bus wound up through the switchbacks, the driver got progressively drunker. Then it happened. It was that day that changed this poor sinner’s life forever. Entering a particularly tight switchback, the besotted driver finally lost control of the bus and it plummeted 1500 feet down into a ravine where it exploded into a fireball incinerating the flock. The only survivor that day was a young boy who was thrown from the bus by his father seconds before it hit the bottom.
This young boy suffered severe brain damage from hitting a rock head first and will have to wear a football helmet and drool cup for the remainder of his life. But his survival proved to me that miracles do happen because God does exist and loves me. The Lord used that accident to bring me back to his flock.
Hallelujah!