Recently a CNN interview took place with Ed Stetzer of Lifeway. It was a very revealing interview regarding the attitude of the unchurched towards Christians.
It is quite interesting that unchurched people don't have a problem with Jesus, but with Christians. What is going on out there among the unchurched? Do we know? Do our churches know? Have we figured out yet that we are not relevant? Do we realize that we are not connecting?
The unchurched have a keener sense of what Christians and church ought to be like than we do!
I never thought I would see that day. But it is upon us. What are we going to do about it? Will we sit back and criticize the unchurched or actively begin changing their minds about who we really are by the way we show Jesus to others.
The churches are dying a slow death out there. I wonder why?
David
Friday, April 25, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
Church Planting Research and Information Service
Would it help to change the name "Church Planting Committee" to "Church Planting Research and Information Service"?
If changing the name of this committee to a service will facilitate the creation of this kind of service for promoting church planting, then I would be for changing the name to a 'service'. Who will give me their input?
Talk to us if you are interested in seeing this kind of service being done in the ABA. Send us your thoughts either to dsmith5165@afo.net or here on this blog.
David
If changing the name of this committee to a service will facilitate the creation of this kind of service for promoting church planting, then I would be for changing the name to a 'service'. Who will give me their input?
Talk to us if you are interested in seeing this kind of service being done in the ABA. Send us your thoughts either to dsmith5165@afo.net or here on this blog.
David
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
What Would a Church Planting Committee Look Like?
I would like to have your input on this forum. In the past I have listed a number of things this committee might consider doing for the purpose of promoting church planting. I would like to hear from those of you who might be reading this blog.
What would a Church Planting Committee do?
1. They would gather information of how many missions were started and churches organized over the past 10 years.
2. Then they would study the results of why so many churches have closed their doors, and what we need to do to start more healthy churches for the future.
3. They would evaluate past church planting methods.
4. They would make us aware of the condition of things as they are with recommendations for future church planting.
5. The committee would find ways to challenge us to start more churches through all available means and especially promote this at association meetings, etc.
6. They would launch prayer movements to reverse the present trend. They would advertise, promote, encourage, challenge, church planting.
7. Obviously they would not start churches, but facilitate the beginning of new works.
8. The committee could be made up of about 7 persons and given the freedom and the means to do their research and promotional work.
Add to my list or tell me what won't fly.
David
What would a Church Planting Committee do?
1. They would gather information of how many missions were started and churches organized over the past 10 years.
2. Then they would study the results of why so many churches have closed their doors, and what we need to do to start more healthy churches for the future.
3. They would evaluate past church planting methods.
4. They would make us aware of the condition of things as they are with recommendations for future church planting.
5. The committee would find ways to challenge us to start more churches through all available means and especially promote this at association meetings, etc.
6. They would launch prayer movements to reverse the present trend. They would advertise, promote, encourage, challenge, church planting.
7. Obviously they would not start churches, but facilitate the beginning of new works.
8. The committee could be made up of about 7 persons and given the freedom and the means to do their research and promotional work.
Add to my list or tell me what won't fly.
David
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Servant Evangelism
Servant Evangelism is a relatively new concept for me. I've not really had servanthood modeled for me. It's something that I kind of looked at with doubt. Not sure if I wanted to get that low and humbled.
But Jesus did it.
Am I not to be like Him?
I am going to learn about 'servant evangelism' and practice it for myself. It might be the most effective way to reach the lost that we have ever considered.
My son, Jonathon, used this approach in City Reach efforts and it has been very successful in connecting with the lost.
You can visit www.servantevangelism.com to learn a little more or get Steve Sjogren's book "Conspiracy of Kindness".
David
But Jesus did it.
Am I not to be like Him?
I am going to learn about 'servant evangelism' and practice it for myself. It might be the most effective way to reach the lost that we have ever considered.
My son, Jonathon, used this approach in City Reach efforts and it has been very successful in connecting with the lost.
You can visit www.servantevangelism.com to learn a little more or get Steve Sjogren's book "Conspiracy of Kindness".
David
Monday, April 14, 2008
Conspiracy of Kindness/Sharing Jesus Without Fear
A must read for anyone serious about evangelism: Conspiracy of Kindness and Sharing Jesus Without Fear.
Conspiracy of Kindness by Steve Sjogren addresses the need for servant evangelism. I believe in evangelism at every possible level. But servant evangelism has challenged me in a way I have never seriously considered. Doing random acts of kindness as a means to show the love of God and develop genuine relationships with people is something that I always categorized as being part of a "social gospel" mentality. I have changed my mind. I believe this is what could possibly change a lot of people's minds about Christianity.
Sharing Jesus Without Fear by William Fay really challenged me to revisit my approaches to personal evangelism and help others to overcome their fear in witnessing.
These are awesome books that will challenge your personal and daily walk with Christ.
David
Conspiracy of Kindness by Steve Sjogren addresses the need for servant evangelism. I believe in evangelism at every possible level. But servant evangelism has challenged me in a way I have never seriously considered. Doing random acts of kindness as a means to show the love of God and develop genuine relationships with people is something that I always categorized as being part of a "social gospel" mentality. I have changed my mind. I believe this is what could possibly change a lot of people's minds about Christianity.
Sharing Jesus Without Fear by William Fay really challenged me to revisit my approaches to personal evangelism and help others to overcome their fear in witnessing.
These are awesome books that will challenge your personal and daily walk with Christ.
David
Christianity Under Attack
If you listen to Fox News Channel you will know that even the media recognizes that Christianity is under attack. Even the more liberal stations are beginning to report it.
CNN has done an interesting interview with Ed Stetzer (writer with Lifeway) that is worthy of watching. Just click on the following url and you will be able to hear it for yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wAIpT-5-Jw.
Chrstians are being perceived differently than what they think they are. Could it be that we are hypcocrites in the eyes of the non-Christian? Could it be that we are not representing Christ in a fashion that is connecting with people. Why are so many people more prone to believe in God than go to church? Something is not right somewhere.
Give me your thoughts about this. let's talk about it.
David
CNN has done an interesting interview with Ed Stetzer (writer with Lifeway) that is worthy of watching. Just click on the following url and you will be able to hear it for yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wAIpT-5-Jw.
Chrstians are being perceived differently than what they think they are. Could it be that we are hypcocrites in the eyes of the non-Christian? Could it be that we are not representing Christ in a fashion that is connecting with people. Why are so many people more prone to believe in God than go to church? Something is not right somewhere.
Give me your thoughts about this. let's talk about it.
David
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Relay for Life Outreach
Our church did a real community outreach this last weekend.
Relay for Life is a cancer fund raising event that took place at the Brazoria County Fairgrounds (Where we hold services).
One of our ladies caught the vision for representing our church at this event. Others quickly got on board. There were about 20 of our people participating in taking opinion polls and handing out free water (hundreds of bottles). We were the only church represented. I had the privilege of doing the invocational prayer to help kick things off, all in gusty wind and intermittent rain.
God opened up many doors for our group to meet people and let them know we were in the community to serve and reach them for Christ. It was great!
Relay for Life is a cancer fund raising event that took place at the Brazoria County Fairgrounds (Where we hold services).
One of our ladies caught the vision for representing our church at this event. Others quickly got on board. There were about 20 of our people participating in taking opinion polls and handing out free water (hundreds of bottles). We were the only church represented. I had the privilege of doing the invocational prayer to help kick things off, all in gusty wind and intermittent rain.
God opened up many doors for our group to meet people and let them know we were in the community to serve and reach them for Christ. It was great!
Thursday, April 3, 2008
A False Sense of Wellbeing
Could it be that many of us have a false sense of wellbeing among the churches?
It is remarkable to me that some think that 9, now 10 new churches/missions being started in the last year is something to get excited over. Frankly, it is very depressing when you realize that there are over 1200 churches in our association. These new works represent less than one percent of the whole association! It is not something to be bragging about, in my opinion. In fact, we ought to be praying and fasting a lot and asking God to create a burden in our hearts to change this bemoaning state of church planting and new missions.
In addition to this overwhelming need for new works to be started, there is a desperate need for our churches to "comeback" to being vital, Great Commission churches. I invite every pastor to read "Comeback Churches" by Ed Stetzer.
It must be that some are very satisfied with their performance in carrying out the Great Commission. I am not satisfied. I will not be deceived by this false sense of wellbeing that some have.
David
It is remarkable to me that some think that 9, now 10 new churches/missions being started in the last year is something to get excited over. Frankly, it is very depressing when you realize that there are over 1200 churches in our association. These new works represent less than one percent of the whole association! It is not something to be bragging about, in my opinion. In fact, we ought to be praying and fasting a lot and asking God to create a burden in our hearts to change this bemoaning state of church planting and new missions.
In addition to this overwhelming need for new works to be started, there is a desperate need for our churches to "comeback" to being vital, Great Commission churches. I invite every pastor to read "Comeback Churches" by Ed Stetzer.
It must be that some are very satisfied with their performance in carrying out the Great Commission. I am not satisfied. I will not be deceived by this false sense of wellbeing that some have.
David
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
