"Don't lower the bar," James Logan exhorts worshipers By Jeremy Grant The Layman Online Friday, June 25, 1999 FORT WORTH - Thursday morning worship at the General Assembly rang with the passionate and pastoral tones of the Rev. James H. Logan, Jr., pastor of South Tryon Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, N.C., as he partnered with hundreds of other worshipers in a chorus of exhortation: "Don't lower the bar!" Lifting high the Fifth Great End of the Church, Logan propelled us into a holy moment in which we examined God's call to promote social righteousness. Asking what social righteousness is and how we live it out, Logan pointed out that only those who have a confession of Christian faith are constrained by the Word of God. We can't expect others to view the Word of God as their only rule for faith and life, he said. Logan's text, Titus 3:1-11, calls Christians to a challenging vision of social righteousness for this General Assembly and this time in our denomination: "… I desire that you insist on these things, so that those who have come to believe in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works; these things are excellent and profitable to everyone. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. After a first and second admonition, have nothing more to do with anyone who causes divisions, since you know that such a person is perverted and sinful, being self-condemned" (Titus 3:8b-11). Logan reminded worshipers, "People today are looking for words of hope and inspiration … even direction … and we have those words." The church must be able to speak with one voice: "Thus sayeth the Lord," he proclaimed. Living by the standards of this world lowers the standards of God's Word; doing so "lowers the bar." Jesus still is the answer: He still heals, transforms, delivers, sets the imprisoned free. Jesus saves us, Logan declared. We dare not water down God's salvation of us in Jesus Christ just to make it palatable. What happens when you lower the bar, Logan asked? Your testimony has no effect. The church leads others astray. We grieve the heart of God. When we face the temptations of compromising God's Word and our Lord's call to righteousness, "Don't lower the bar." Naming situations in which we are tempted, Logan led the service in an energetic, inspiring call and response not to lower the bar. The combined choirs from Fort Worth and Weatherford, Texas, presented an uplifting anthem. However, the fiery style of Logan's preaching was a marked contrast to the rest of the usual Presbyterian fare offered in the service of worship. |
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