A start
So I guess I'll start....
Please answer these questions about your church:
- In three words, and only three, please describe your church.
- Is the church necessary today? why?
- What are the top three things your church does best?
- What are the top three things your church needs help doing?
Simply as this exercise sounds, it could provoke some thoughts and lay the ground-work for more effective ministry.
Have fun and if you dare-post your answers! Thanks Ralph for the forum. Should be great!
posted by Pilgrim feet at 4/03/2006 09:58:00 AM
8 Comments:
Called, anticipating, changing.
The church is necessary today. It is the Bride of Christ.
Spending money, corporately social, kids programs.
Developing personal relationships, need for spiritual maturity and leaders who are capable of sound teaching.
Because we won't be in Boston until June, I'll speak to the question about the necessity of the church.
The church absolutely is necessary. That said, we need to rediscover the nature, essence, and function of "church." Church as "place" or "event" is becoming less and less relevant in our culture, but the biblical model of church as "God's people" or "living organism" is more relevant than ever. Personally, I'm through with attractional "church." The "if you build it, they will come" model has produced a nation of anemic, spiritually shallow Christians who not only are slow to radically join with God in his work in the world, but who often don't think that is their mandate (but instead is the mandate of the "professionals").
I want to model and invite people into a Christianity that is a way of life, not simply one of many compartments. I'm trying to rid myself (as much is possible) of church language, because I see the process of spiritual formation and mission occuring most effectively outside the walls of traditional churches. Barna has pointed this out in recent months.
Here are a few resources that have helped guide me on this journey:
The Bible, specifically Luke 10, Ephesians 4, John 4:20-24, among others...
The Shaping of Things to Come: Innovation and Mission for the 21st Century, by Alan Hirsch and Michael Frost
The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical, by Shane Claiborne
Revolution, by George Barna
The Master Plan of Evangelism, by Robert E. Coleman
Great thoughts here.
I'd love to hear from about 10 more folks, though. This is such an important (foundational, if you will) consideration for church planters.
Peace.
May I think out loud with you and grapple with these profound questions? My response:
GOD…IS…GOD-Centered!
Simply stated, the church is necessary today because God said the Bride of His Son is necessary for the praise of His glorious grace! This is like drinking from a fire-hose! Why? Because everything that the Infinite and Eternally Glorious God is...and does, He is and does first and foremost for His own glory - in and through everything! The church is necessary because we have been called out of death, sin and darkness – by the triumph of Jesus Christ – to experience His glory and in turn glorify God in everything and enjoy Him in everything! The church is necessary because we are God’s means of bringing everything of the same to others who do not yet believe, by what we say and do! This “EVERTHING” encompasses all aspects of this life...from the moment of conception to the last and final breath of earthly air...and on into eternity! As God manifested Himself in His Son, so too His Son, by His Spirit and Word, manifests Himself through the church to all mankind the manifold glorious splendor of His Majesty for all to behold and treasure supremely over every other created thing! He Himself is our sovereign and everlasting joy! This we behold, we believe and we bring to those around us!
We do best: Sin – repent – receive daily grace to worship and serve God.
We need help with: Knowing God’s Word – faith - living in God saturated, Christ-centered love toward others!
Great comment, Dao. You are exactly right - not only are we as believers to acknowledge and praise God's glory, but we are to call all of creation into a similar praise.
How the latter takes place most effectively is up for some debate and certainly needs to be on the table for discussion, especially as it relates to life in North America (and our "post-everything" culture).
Again, wonderful thoughts about remembering our purpose for existence.
Several of us from King of Grace Church, Methuen, are off to the "Together for the Gospel" conference in Louisville, KY.
Several streams of denominiational/non-denomination influence are coming together to focus on that which is most central/supreme/all-satisfying...namely God Himself, manifested in the glorious gospel of His Son, Jesus Christ!
I plan on blogging on the conference this weekend as well as bringing back audio/video/online resources for your interest. Check out the web page: http://togetherforthegospel.org/
Danny
Well, as promised, there is a post on my blog about the "Together for the Gospel" (T4G 2006) conference last week. In a word: profound!
each and every message carried the weight of the Glory of God and came with much power and anointing. Every aspect of the time spent in KY from Tueaday through Friday was blessed with the aroma of Christ. The resources are posted on my blog as well. May God raise up people jealous for His glory by how we speak, live and serve!
Project 66: www.p66.blogspot.com
Danny
The church is crucial especially in the wake of relativism. We must continue to lift up our Lord and Savior because only as we do that will be see not only the prodigals come home, but even the brothers and sisters in Christ grow in Holy love.
The church too needs to be admonished by 2 Chronicles 7:14 because we have erred at some points, at least, by not taking a stand for Morality and Holiness.
One of things that our church does well is to be community connected through various outreaches
One thing that we continually need is be connected with other churches for support and praryer. I truly appreciate this net resource! Our website is www.srfmc.org. God's richest blessings on you
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