How Rehoboam blew it (1 Kings 12: 1-15)
1. When he mistook beauracracy for ministry
The people come to Rehoboam and ask for a break. The taxes were in place to pay for Solomon’s concubines. But Rehoboam blew it. He calls 2 committee meetings. He had to find a way to keep beauracracy going. Denominations are dying, building edifaces to their past. They keep doing the same things going, keeping the machinery going. Their main word is maintanance. Are SBC in danger. We are always in danger. Conservatives who are beaurocrats are as dangerous as liberals.

2. When he mistook his own personal will as wisdom
Rehoboam wanted his will and took advice from “yes” men. Movements of God are made on transitions. Successful transitions were made on the respect of the elders - respecting those who came before. Our generation are guilty of pushing the elders aside. We need our elders.

3. When he mistook instant gratification for incorruptible growth
He wants all of what his father and grandfather did in 80 years immediately. We are the generation of Rehoboam (40’s generation). True revival takes time and investment. We want Solomon’s gold but don’t want the price. What happened to all night prayer meetings. We’ve got businessness but not holiness.

4. When he chose techniques over truth.
He asks how, not why. He takes advice of everyone but God. This is Canter’s generation. We are more interested in technique. “Muslim’s are purposed-driven.” Spiritually passionate, but biblically illiterate kids in our seminaries. You can’t have good doxology without good theology. We don’t disciple people like they used to.

5. When chose popularity over power.
He thought he could coast on his popularity. We are trendy and comfortable. Where are the prophets of God? We need a new generation who are unafraid of what the culture throws at them.

Personal note:
I think on some levels he’s right. We do have people who are looking for the quick hit for ministry. “What can I do”, without any theological underpinning. But I can say that he doesn’t speak for me or any people that I know on any of these issues. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t believe that theology is important.

By his own admission, Canter is not a pastor - he did it for 17 years and isn’t good at it - , and dealing with issues in the church is something he is not good at. And I can appreciate his prophetic voice. But what I’m finding is that I am having to teach the foundational elements and I try to do that in a practical way. Some things I have dealt with in a theological manner, ie the depravity of man. I’ve preached through books of the Bible. We have small groups to try to do discipleship. We take what others do and contextualize it, not looking for the popular thing or the new it, but how we can integrate orthodoxy and orthopraxy.

There is only so much commitment I can ask for. The stressors of life limit the expectations I have of people. I’ve got people burning out because of 60 hour work weeks and family and home.

Do I have respect for the older generation. Absolutely, until they run down what I am doing that is Biblically reaching people. Respect is a two way street. Blind respect is as inappropriate as no respect.

Anyway, maybe I’m way off base here. That was it for tonight…