How does the church and community interact?
There are two trains of thought. The first and most common is that the community is a place to get more members to come to our church so that we can have more people who will tithe so we can put on more, bigger, and better programs. This is from a program driven mentality. And sadly, that is the case of most churches in our society. It's to get people in our doors....and that's when they can hear about the transformation a relationship with Jesus Christ can bring. It's a flawed system. And in my opinion, it's not biblical.
The second thought is that the community is where the church operates. The church is a part of it's community and the majority of it's action is done outside the walls. The people are trained to go outside the church and SHOW the transformation Jesus Christ offers. This is a people driven mentality. This is how Jesus operated. How the disciples and the New Testament church operated. They were in the community, active.
This is where the church needs to be today. In the community...promoting reconciliation, training leaders, assisting the homeless and poor, caring for the sick, and helping educate the children. It's time for a revolution.
April 25, 2010
April 22, 2010
Earth Day
I guess this is something that can be a bit of a touchy subject. For some, Earth Day is thought of as another just agenda item. Something that is pushed by an extreme group that wants to eliminate man-kind. I don't think that is true.
I see Earth Day, and even the whole 'green' movement as something different. While there are undoubtedly some out there who think the earth would be better off without humans on it,for me, this isn't what being green is really all about.
As a Christ-follower, I live by a biblical worldview. And because I have that worldview, I place a high value on anything God created. Human beings, animals, the oceans, the earth....anything God created.
In Genesis 1:26 God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like ourselves. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” We have a duty, as the keepers of creation, to be responsible with what God created. It's called being a good steward. We are to use what God gives us responsibly.
Ultimately, I will have to answer for anything I do as a believer. How I spent my time, my talents, and my treasure. How I used the things God gave me. And one of the greatest things He has given us is creation. It's His, just as it says in Psalms 24:1 "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it." I just want to know I have done everything in my power to be a good steward of the blessings God gave me.
I see Earth Day, and even the whole 'green' movement as something different. While there are undoubtedly some out there who think the earth would be better off without humans on it,for me, this isn't what being green is really all about.
As a Christ-follower, I live by a biblical worldview. And because I have that worldview, I place a high value on anything God created. Human beings, animals, the oceans, the earth....anything God created.
In Genesis 1:26 God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like ourselves. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” We have a duty, as the keepers of creation, to be responsible with what God created. It's called being a good steward. We are to use what God gives us responsibly.
Ultimately, I will have to answer for anything I do as a believer. How I spent my time, my talents, and my treasure. How I used the things God gave me. And one of the greatest things He has given us is creation. It's His, just as it says in Psalms 24:1 "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it." I just want to know I have done everything in my power to be a good steward of the blessings God gave me.
February 28, 2010
Community
As we look at a church, a new one, just what is the vision we see?
A place where people find community. A place that is more concerned about people. A place where buildings and property don't matter. People do. A place where people can come at anytime....even just to hang out.
A place that the whole community knows about. Where we are so involved that we are really making a difference in the lives of those around us. A place where we are known for what we are for, not for what we are against.
Everyone wants to belong to something. And not just belong, but to be a part of something that matters. To have a hand in making a difference.
All these things are what we are striving to do at GCF. We want a place where the church is the church. Where the church is for EVERYONE, not just those who come to a service once a week. We want to be a place that isn't known for it's buildings, properties or programs. But a place that is known for it's love and it's commitment to helping people, no matter where they are at.
Jesus had 132 conversations, only 10 of which were in the synagogue. The rest were out in the community. Don't you think if we profess to be disciples, followers of Jesus Christ, we should be doing what He did?
Just a thought.
A place where people find community. A place that is more concerned about people. A place where buildings and property don't matter. People do. A place where people can come at anytime....even just to hang out.
A place that the whole community knows about. Where we are so involved that we are really making a difference in the lives of those around us. A place where we are known for what we are for, not for what we are against.
Everyone wants to belong to something. And not just belong, but to be a part of something that matters. To have a hand in making a difference.
All these things are what we are striving to do at GCF. We want a place where the church is the church. Where the church is for EVERYONE, not just those who come to a service once a week. We want to be a place that isn't known for it's buildings, properties or programs. But a place that is known for it's love and it's commitment to helping people, no matter where they are at.
Jesus had 132 conversations, only 10 of which were in the synagogue. The rest were out in the community. Don't you think if we profess to be disciples, followers of Jesus Christ, we should be doing what He did?
Just a thought.
January 15, 2010
Haiti-What should our response be?
It's been a while since I have posted anything, kinda took a season off to reflect on God's word and listen to what He wants.
That being said, I want to look at little bit at what is going on in Haiti. A few days ago a devastating earthquake shook the poor island of Haiti. It has cause total devastation to these people. If you don't know, Haiti is the poorest country of the Americas. These people survive on about $2 per person per day.
What should our response, as Christ-followers, be to this situation? Well, first it should not be condemnation. Apparently, there are some out there that have commented that this is God's retribution on Haiti for it's background in the occult. Nowhere in the Bible can I find that man gets to decide what natural disasters are God's judgment on people for sin.
Our response has to come from the Bible. As the basis for how we live, that is where we look for guidance. Matthew 25:34-40(NLT) says- “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,[c] you were doing it to me!’
What we do for those in need, we are doing for Jesus. We are to reach out to the poor, the hurting, the needy. Whether they have a history of dealing in the occult doesn't matter. The people are human beings who all are precious. They are precious to us, because they are precious to God. Jesus died for ALL, and we have every obligation to do what Jesus would have done. The life of a disciple of Jesus is one of compassion, care, and loving. There is plenty of hate, evil and judgment in the world....this is one of the things that separates Christianity from other religions.
What a pure religion? One that is without man-made rules, judgmental attitudes, self-serving leaders? The Bible address what this religion would look like. James 1:27(NLT) says- Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.
I can guarantee you there are now probably hundreds of thousands of widows and orphans in Haiti. The devastation is enormous. As the church we have an obligation to CARE for these people, in whatever way we can. NOT judge them. And, if they are living occultic lives, this is the perfect opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus and show these hurting people what a great God we serve!
BE A REVOLUTION!
That being said, I want to look at little bit at what is going on in Haiti. A few days ago a devastating earthquake shook the poor island of Haiti. It has cause total devastation to these people. If you don't know, Haiti is the poorest country of the Americas. These people survive on about $2 per person per day.
What should our response, as Christ-followers, be to this situation? Well, first it should not be condemnation. Apparently, there are some out there that have commented that this is God's retribution on Haiti for it's background in the occult. Nowhere in the Bible can I find that man gets to decide what natural disasters are God's judgment on people for sin.
Our response has to come from the Bible. As the basis for how we live, that is where we look for guidance. Matthew 25:34-40(NLT) says- “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,[c] you were doing it to me!’
What we do for those in need, we are doing for Jesus. We are to reach out to the poor, the hurting, the needy. Whether they have a history of dealing in the occult doesn't matter. The people are human beings who all are precious. They are precious to us, because they are precious to God. Jesus died for ALL, and we have every obligation to do what Jesus would have done. The life of a disciple of Jesus is one of compassion, care, and loving. There is plenty of hate, evil and judgment in the world....this is one of the things that separates Christianity from other religions.
What a pure religion? One that is without man-made rules, judgmental attitudes, self-serving leaders? The Bible address what this religion would look like. James 1:27(NLT) says- Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.
I can guarantee you there are now probably hundreds of thousands of widows and orphans in Haiti. The devastation is enormous. As the church we have an obligation to CARE for these people, in whatever way we can. NOT judge them. And, if they are living occultic lives, this is the perfect opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus and show these hurting people what a great God we serve!
BE A REVOLUTION!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
