Monday, December 29, 2008
Purpose and Vision
We will use this post for the next two weeks as we discuss the purpose and vision of the church. The Bible says some specific things about the responsibility the church has as it represents the body of Christ in the world. It's good to review these fundamentals as we start a new year. As you read the Scriptures, ask yourself, "How are we doing?" Are there areas in which we need to focus or refocus our attention? Use this discussion as an opportunity to share your thoughts and ideas about the past and the future.
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6 comments:
It seems to me that we do a great job of loving the Lord with all our heart, mind and soul, and loving our neighbor as ourselves. If we have a weakness, I think it is in somehow reaching new people and bring them into the Church. I have a long way to go in this area.
I agree. Reaching new people is not our strong point, at least not in the community surrounding our church. Any ideas of how we can do better? I know our location (visibility) is not the best, but are there things beside this that we can address that might make a difference? Is it more an information problem, or an inspiration problem? By this I mean is the problem more an issue of training or of urgency? Do we need to work on our heads or our hearts? Or both? I'd love to hear some thoughts.
Those are tuff questions. I believe our heads and hearts are okay (of course we will always be learning and growing)but how do you get others to realize that a church is not just a pretty building with a big steeple? Do visitors feel threatened when they come to a church where it is obvious that we love God and each other? Do they want to hide in a crowd or fellowship with believers? How do you get someone to want to know more about Jesus and get passed being uncomfortable in a church?
Those are more good questions. I was talking with a man today at Cornerstone that is very interested in following Christ, but is weary of the church. For people that aren't really familiar with faith, it is difficult to make connections between Christ and the church. People are used to compartmentalizing things. It is hard to explain that loving Christ means loving his body, the church. How can we say we love someone but never want to be with them? The church is Christ's presence in the world (or should be anyway). People have preconcieved ideas and poor past experiences that are often difficult to work through. In his case, as with many others, it is likely that a relationship is going to have to be established outside the church before he will be comfortable or curious enough to investigate living life in fellowship. Sometimes I just want to scream, "It's not what you think!" Or, "There are churches where you can be real and be loved!" And, "We don't have it all together either!" I don't know...maybe I should.
I think if people could realize that at our Church everyone can totally be themselves, relax and enjoy being with God and His people. That would make an interesting series of sermons on how to reach people in the community.
I was just wondering as I read about gifts, could our not having new people in the Church be a situation of few people having the gift of evangelism? We are a strong Praying Church with many other good qualities. I was just wondering.
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