Additional Readings

There are a number of wonderful writers and pastors who are researching and sharing truths about God's church. Two articles I have discovered recently and have impacted my way of thinking are listed below. I encourage you to read them and consider how your role in the life of the church is making an impact with those who are "done" with church and those who are new to it.

Thom Schultz on the Rise of the Dones. An article describing long term members simply being done with church. Click Here

Thom Ranier on the Top 10 Ways Churches Drive Away Guests. An article exploring the things we do as a church that doesn't make want people to come back a second time. Click Here

The 8th Habit

These past few weeks we have covered the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. These habits are applicable to being an effective Christian and effective Church. There is an eighth habit: Find Your Voice And Inspire Others To Find Theirs.

What is our voice and from where does it come? Our voice comes from God through Jesus Christ because we have been reconciled through him. Paul writes in Romans 5:11 that we "rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation." Our message is salvation and freedom in Jesus!

Paul had every right to boast in his heritage and accomplishments. But in his letter to the Philippians, he considers all that to be nothing compared to knowing Christ (Phil. 3:8). Like Paul, we must not look to ourselves as the source for being effective, but to Christ who provides the means by which we are reconciled with God; we are "made right" because of him.

Finally, we must inspire others to accept this offer of reconciliation. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 tells us to "encourage one another and build each other up."  Building takes time and effort. Jesus does the heavy lifting, and creates inside the person a new creation, but it takes time for that new creation to walk, talk, and act like the "Christlike" person they now are.

Be effective, people's destiny and God's glory is improved when you do!

Sunday 1.25.15

Setting Course 2015 - Week Three

As we conclude this series on being a highly effective Christian and church, we explore the final three habits that help people be successful.

Habit Five: First Understand, Then Be Understood
Scripture Focus: James 1:19

James connects listening and avoiding anger. Many people come to us with concerns or requests for change in our life, but do so in anger and frustration. When that happens, we cannot hear them, and often in our own anger or frustration we try to talk over them to seize control of the conversation. It reminds me of God's appearance to Elijah in 1 Kings 19. In verses 11 through 13 we read about loud winds and thunder, but God was not in them. Then a gentle wind comes and Elijah hears the words of God. How often do we meet the loud winds and thunder of other people by attempting to talk over the noise. Could it be that if we wait for the storm to pass we may hear what is trying to be said?

Habit Six: Synergize 
Scripture Focus: 1 Corinthians 12:12-14    

Synergy is the mathematical equivalent of saying 1+1=3. In other words, the sum is greater than the parts. Paul's analogy of the body being more than just it's components is one we should realize rings true in the body of Christ, the Church, as well. One pebble is not going to make much impact, but many together at the same time in the same direction, can cause an avalanche and reshape a landscape. Read the book of Nehemiah in the Old Testament. Here is a great example of one person, moved by God, partnered with others to accomplish more than they could have all done individually. They rebuilt the wall around Jerusalem, and restored hope to a shattered nation!

Habit Seven: Sharpen the Saw
Scripture Focus: Ephesians 4:11-12

The principle of preparing and practicing what we learn is one that God has valued for eternity. When we fail, and chances are we will occasionally, we must learn from those failures and be better next time. We also can learn from the experiences, both good and bad, of others to help us navigate life. Paul tells us in Romans 15:4 "everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in Scriptures and encouragement they provide we may have hope." Experience is the best teacher, but God has provided us ample examples of experiences so that we do not have to suffer in order to learn. What a blessing! 

Welcome!

Sunday mornings are an awesome time to come together as a local body of believers to worship and hear from God's Word. Our time together can have a refreshing effect and wet the appetite for experiencing God, but it cannot end with just an hour each week. A walk with the Lord is a daily thing, My prayer is that what is shared on Sunday morning can be expanded upon through this blog. Twenty minutes once a week is not always enough to share the wonderful depth of God's teaching. May you find a deeper walk with Him as you discover his truths!