I think one of the areas the church has failed in is studying the culture in which we exist. Many will call being a student of the culture “worldly,” but if someone goes oversees and studies the culture that exists there then that same group of people will call the international traveler a missionary.
Just read through a blog by Perry Noble. I usually agree with what he says but this one disturbed me. Here's the quote that got me:
"…it’s stupid and meaningless and the ONLY churches that say number do not matter are the ones with no numbers.
AND…I find it funny that the same churches that say they do not count their people because numbers do not matter WILL count their offerings. WOW–I guess in those cases money matters more than people. Come on now–if numbers do not matter then stop counting the offering!!!
The reason I am so passionate about this is, well, first of all, I have a biblical view of how God designed the church to grow and reach the world for Him. The more people we reach–the fewer people that go to hell! And GOD HELP the church that just wants to be small and comfortable and, in so doing, neglects sharing the Gospel with those who are bound for hell!!!"
Yes, it's awesome the amount of people that have been baptised at his church but is that really a good number to be proud of? Baptism is a beginning not an end. If a life change hasn't happened it is a dead end! Count the people truly changing there lives and attempting to BE THE CHURCH to their community not be A CHURCH in their community. When we say numbers don't matter we mean it. Everyone is not going to be pumped about our straight forward message. We need ALL churches to group together to make a change.
If people hear our mission and go to another church, super.
If they hear our mission and get it but never come back, instead starting a series of home churches in their neighborhood, great!
If they hear our mission and jump in and partner with us, don't get us wrong, that would be totally awesome.
And if these same people feel called to move on and start a new church or attempt to jump start an existing church, we've accomplished our task with them.
"New" people, lost people, seekers, searchers, whatever word you use, if they came to church, they are looking for something and will see right away if numbers are the bottom line or if truly changing your city is the plan. Spreading the Gospel is one thing, I can do that with a Bible and a street corner, but teaching people what to do with their salvation and better yet, what Jesus wants them to do with his gift is the true mission.
About not counting the offerings, well that's just stupid.
Read the whole post here
Just read an awesome quote from Perry's latest blog,
"...Every night I have sat in the back of the room we are in and watched these teens worship…their passion for Jesus is REAL…and it is contagious. I can’t wait to see our church on Sunday as these teens literally lead us in worship! (Most of them attend the 11:15 service.)
I had this thought…if you combined the passion of these teens with the wisdom of the generation ahead of them…you would have a force that is unstopable–there would be NOTHING on planet earth that could hold it back…the way that force could advance God’s kingdom would be incredible…".
You can read the entire blog by following the link on the left.
Sheri and I get hit deep when we see the next generation living out loud for Jesus. That's one reason we invest so much time with our own youth at Journey. Another great example of melding young enthusiasm with our wisdom can be seen in the teen group C.O.R.E. at Church of the Highlands in Lakeland, FL. I can't wait for a group like this at Journey. We have as much to learn from them as we have to teach them.
Quote from Perry Noble's blog at perrynoble.com:
"The temptation to get into a blog fight was very real yesterday…some dude e-mail me (anonymously) and misquoted Scripture in an attempt to attack NewSpring. However, I was reminded that the enemy is NOT a blogger or an e-mailer…the true enemy is satan…Paul reminds us of this in Ephesians 6:12.
THAT is the reason I do not get involved in e-mail wars and blog debates anymore. I am sick and tired of Christians standing around seeing who can pee the furtherest…hell is a real place…I really don’t want people to go there…and my focus is going to be on seeing people come to Christ and NOT Christians who seem to think they already have it figured out anyway."
Enough said!
Just read an excellent blog by Perry Noble, you can check it out here. In it it explains how as Christians we rail against alcohol, drugs, smoking, ...(enter random sin here) but are eating ourselves to death! It's time we put our stones (and Big Macs) down and take a look at ourselves.
I'll have a diet coke with that............... :)
