A Real Life Legend: Henry Blackaby

This past weekend I had a chance to spend some time with a guy who for years has been more like a legend to me than a real person, Henry Blackaby, author of the Bible study Experiencing God that was so popular years ago. I went through it in college, and it had a huge impact on me. It was part of what sent me into ministry.

He and I were both speaking at a conference on Prayer and Spiritual Awakening. Of course, that was a more than a little intimidating by itself... he had over 30 books he had authored there for sell. Someone asked me, "Where are your books?" I stammered and stuttered and finally offered to sign some of Dr. Blackaby's books.

He is an older man now, and has that sage-like quality of someone who has walked with God for years. He drips with wisdom and the anointing of God. He has devoted himself now to seeing a prayer awakening in the church. We got to spend time together talking and praying. I kept catching myself peeking at him during prayer times thinking maybe he slipped into some kind of trance wherein he pulled an Enoch and walked with God. I kept expecting to look up and see him vanish. But no, he prays just like you and me. His prayers are simple and childlike, and with great intimacy. I even saw him writing stuff down while other people were praying... made me feel better about the times I do that.

I'm always impressed when I meet some of these older giants of the faith at how "normal" they are. Normal dudes, awesome God.

He lamented that prayer is the one thing that seems to be absent from most of the "new and current" movements in Christianity (many of which he is grateful for)--which means that all of our reforms may end up crumbling much as we have seen the reforms of our ancestors crumble. The prayer of faith in the Gospel is what makes the foundations of our ministry solid, period.

I asked him what he was most concerned with in the "newer" generation of Christian leaders. He said, "Praise and worship." I said, "Praise and worship?" He said, "Yes. By and large praise and worship is a huge problem for the church. Today's praise and worship rarely calls people to repentance. It attempts to lay a foundation of spirituality on top of idolatrous and sin-tolerating hearts. There can be no move of God until God's people really repent, and our religiosity, which is most seen in our music, keeps us from real repentance. We need a John the Baptist who can cut through our religiosity and call us to really deal with our sin." (that is my summary of his words, so I may have messed it up a little bit.)

But I was floored. What incredible insight.

He then said, "The second thing is drums." I said, "Drums?" He said, "Yes. That is the world's music and it has no business in the church." OK, so obviously I didn't agree with everything that he had to say. Drums are a huge part of our worship at our church, and I don't believe there is a biblical distinction in some music that is God's and other that is Satan's. While the Old Testament is full of instructions about the specifics of worship, the New Testament is silent, because (I believe) the intent is for each culture to find the appropriate ways, musically, to express praise to God.

But even though I may not agree with everything the generation in front of me believes, I am grateful for their faithfulness to God and for the Gospel they taught me. I imagine that there are a few things I believe which time will show have more to do with my cultural trappings and not real Biblical values. I hope God and my children will be gracious to me where I fail. Sometimes I think the greatest fault of my "younger" generation of leaders is we have a self-righteous scorn for older people who we think got some things wrong. Big news flash: we will get some things wrong, too. If we can't be gracious even to our own "fathers," what kind of Gospel do we have to preach to the world?

I am grateful for Dr. Blackaby, and for taking time to invest in the next generation. We neglect their wisdom at our own peril.

Comments

[Josh Via]

That's a great word, J.D. A great reminder. Thanks.

[Mark]

Thanks for your sharing your life with us, JD. I believe Mr. Blakaby is right about prayer... I know that in my own life, prayer was always an after thought until recently.

As a new member I don't want to be "that person" who comes into a church and points out "what you really need to do is ..." in order to be the "perfect church". I thank God for The Summit and I'm very grateful that the Lord has led us here. I would say that one of those "things" that appears to be lacking (in my humble opinion and previous experiences) is the manner in which we do pray as a church.

I believe that the worship services (music and preaching) are incredible!!! However, the prayer meetings could be a little more organized and "led"... I think that applying the Charismatic approach to prayer can be somewhat disoriented and somewhat confusing (and we know that God is not the God of confusion). I do have a reformed background and have been influenced by the movement... but I think that prayer is important and that we should approach it with the same significance and dignity as the person we approach maintains.

May the Lord be pleased to grant us the insite we need to be the very best examples of Him as we can be on this side of Heaven.

God Bless you my brother!

[Pastor J.D.]

Thanks, Mark. We believe prayer is best done in the context of the Summit Life Group. Groups that size are small enough to really pray and move in the Spirit and in an organized way. If you don't feel like your SLG is praying appropriately, let the SLG pastor, Spence Shelton know, and I know he'd love to work with your leader on that.

thanks for commenting!

[Chris]

So, when you going to start on your first book?:)

[Mark]

Hi JD, we've been so busy that today is the first time I've been able to get back on the blog to see what's up. I love your blogs and I appreciate the amount of time you spend blogging and reaching out to your congregation. You are a real example of Christ to us and your humility and candor are refreshing.

The prayer in our Summit Group is good. I was speaking of the larger group setting...

Can't wait till Sunday!!!! Since coming to the Summit, we wait with genuine anticipation for each Lord's Day! Can't wait for Sunday!!!

Have a Blessed day brother!

[Alvin Reid]

Loved this. Love Henry. But even the best of us have to battle our preferences. Of course I have a drummer in my family, so there is my preference :-).