Dennis Swanberg: Breaking the Man Code
CHARLOTTE (BSCNC Communications) - The story can be told hundreds of times. The phone would ring and the voice on the other end of the line would be that of W.A. Criswell - the esteemed pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas. After a series of perfunctory statements most would wonder why Dr. Criswell would be phoning them until they realized it was none other than Dennis Swanberg, who arguably sounds more Criswell than Criswell. Swanberg possesses the unique art of turning awkward circumstances into an opportunity for humor. Once while serving as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of West Monroe, La., he inadvertently picked up a hymnbook thinking it was his Bible and went to the pulpit to preach. When he realized what he had done, he simply walked back to pick up his Bible but not before he looked at the pianist and asked her if she would like to play a song out of his Bible. The entire congregation broke out in laughter.
Swanberg is a native Texan who bears the pedigree of a Texas Baptist replete with degrees from Baylor University and Southwestern Seminary respectively. As a young man, he was one of the most sought after preachers who combined serious exegesis with laughter to the point that he delivered even the most pointed applications with good humor. Even when hard words must be said, Swanberg has the reputation of being lighthearted and always open to quick reconciliation and grace in pressing forward.
When he made the transition from the pastorate to that of Christian humorist, he did so with ease and an obvious delight in what he does. His receptivity from Southern Baptists particularly shows that he retains a place of honor even among serious theologians. Swanberg is one of the most sought after Christian entertainers in the business. He has been featured before groups as diverse as the Family Research Council in Washington, D.C., to an annual youth group event where he served as the evening's entertainment. Throughout his career, Dennis Swanberg has served in various roles throughout the Southern Baptist Convention - pastor, seminary, administrator, author and now retains the role of chief entertainer. His communication and imitation of high profile ministers and the accompanying drama of church life make for an interesting hour when he is on the program.
Today was no exception. When he appeared before the near capacity crowd for the final session of the 2009 North Carolina Missions Conference, the usual suspects were soon on stage. President Bill Clinton, Barney Fife, Jimmy Stewart, John Wayne and his personal favorite, Billy Graham. Swanberg was asked to make a tape for Graham on the occasion of his 90th birthday and the evangelist remains one of Swanberg's most striking imitations. It does seem when he imitates Graham that the famed evangelist is teleported into the room.
Swanberg has developed a ministry specifically to men around a "code" derived from Scripture. He is careful to state that he is not manipulating the text of Holy Scripture or presenting some secret knowledge akin to the famed Da Vinci Code. Rather, through his own Bible study, he discovered patterns in a man's life which are critical to his own spiritual development and the progress of his family and church.
In his new book, The Man Code, the numbers 1, 3, 12, 120 and 3,000 are featured as critical junctures in a man's relational matrix. "Every man needs a one-on-one relationship with God and every man needs a group of three close friends capable of keeping their mouths shut and supporting each other," Swanberg said. "Men do not make friends easily, and pastors are the worst for not having any friends - let alone three."
The number 12 emanates from the 12 tribes and the 12 disciples, which represent a diverse group of men "who are going the same direction you are." Encouragement comes from the fact that "this group of men are helping each other and leading each other to a more deeper life with God." When the church of Jesus Christ was empowered by the Spirit, the 120 who were first among its number represents the power, authority and importance of the local church. "You need the church more than the church needs you," Swanberg told men. "I do not care how dysfunctional she is or if she splits three ways - you go with one of them. Rally around your pastor, support his ministry and invest your life in the local church because that is where God has called you to be."
Swanberg's understanding of Pentecost, when 3,000 were added to the church, reveals a startling sense of revival among those early believers who lived and worshipped together in such a dynamic way that racial and religious barriers were broken down and "the power of God's Spirit was mighty among them."
He admonished the men never "to bypass the church and do their own thing." Nothing that is done by his own ministry or through his life is as "important as what is done at the church because the church is where people are saved and helped to live out a life for God."
More information on Dennis Swanberg here.
