I know (as someone who attends church on a Sunday) that Christians can tend to moan about particular aspects of its leadership, general running & management. I admit, sometimes this includes me. I always try to say to myself "if you've got a problem, then do something about it. You've highlighted an issue - deal with it!" It's maybe easier said than done, but let’s face it - as my Bible reading said this morning - we are "all members of the body of Christ". Rom 12. We cannot rely on other people to sort the world's problems out - it’s down to us and that includes me and you. We’re not alone don’t forget.
They're my words of introduction...
I heard Phil Togwell from 24/7 speak last night, and he said something that related to my recent frustrations. When someone is contagiously ill - we stick them into solitary confinement. When lots of people are contagiously ill - we stick them together into solitary confinement. We don't want the disease spreading.
Can this be like Church? I love Church. I love the community. The family. The people. Our faith. I sometimes feel I have no life, other than Church. Many weeks, I invest every spare hour into church. And I love it. But…
I've realised this can sometimes be dangerous. We can sometimes look after 'ourselves' - the church so much, that we forget and neglect people who aren’t yet believers. Is it that 'we' the church are in solitary confinement?
The difference is, we don't have a disease or something that we don't want spreading. We've got something that is too good to keep to ourselves. The good news doesn't just belong to me and you. It is meant to be shared amongst everyone.
Let's break down the doors of solitary confinement. Let's break out into our communities, our towns our cities. Make the power of Jesus become infectious. We have divine authority to infect all people of all nations. Matt 28. Let Jesus, through us, grip people like He gripped you and me.
It’s not all about the building, the Sunday, the church coffee morning. Ultimately, it’s about spreading the message, the news, that Jesus is the world’s saviour. Break out. What ever it takes. Do it!
1/31/2011
10/31/2010
Worship
When we worship, what do we worship? For me, I very much enjoy singing, but when it comes to a 'time of worship', the majority of the time I'm engrossed in getting the tune right and making the words fit with the music. With that, I'm generally looking at the guys upfront leading. Watching their eyes closed, mouths wide open and their feet stamping.
I'm sure, that alongside all of that, God is getting some praise. Maybe??
So when we worship, are we worshipping the sound system, the flashing whizzing lights, the rather attractive person next to you...or is it God?
I believe worship demands our all, because God demands our all. So if the light that's blinding you in the eyes, when it comes to every chorus is distracting you from worshipping God, then I'd maybe question whether that style of worship enables you to engage with God in the right way for you.
Worship is not one way, one style. Instead I believe worship is something that enables you to give your all to God. Your style, your choice, your worship.
I'm sure, that alongside all of that, God is getting some praise. Maybe??
So when we worship, are we worshipping the sound system, the flashing whizzing lights, the rather attractive person next to you...or is it God?
I believe worship demands our all, because God demands our all. So if the light that's blinding you in the eyes, when it comes to every chorus is distracting you from worshipping God, then I'd maybe question whether that style of worship enables you to engage with God in the right way for you.
Worship is not one way, one style. Instead I believe worship is something that enables you to give your all to God. Your style, your choice, your worship.
7/12/2010
Church
We’re living in a world that is increasingly lost. We hear of declining church attendance. We send our Christian students to University, and over 90% of them finish their degree with only little or having lost their faith. I attend church where the colour of the sea is grey. Few of us have heard the message of salvation, yet even fewer are being saved. Is it that we are lost, or are we just distracted by a world that is lost? It’s time to stop being protective of ourselves and insular. This is literally a matter of life or death. If you’re not already fired up…I want you to still carry on reading, as you’ve got to be prepared to deal with those who are.
The church worldwide is currently under media fire. The church is perceived to be corrupt with alleged child abuse cases. The church is threatened to be split by the matter of enabling women to fulfil their mission call to be Bishops. Churches are closing down because they cannot afford to make ‘necessary repairs’ and maintenance costs. Can you believe these churches are symbols of our saving grace – Jesus. Something has gone terribly wrong. There are millions of lost souls in the world! There is nothing ‘necessary’ about repairing a wall when the world’s relationship with God needs repairing. Sorry – but I do not want associated to the church that thinks like this. I want to be associated with the church that has a raging mad, love, passion and energy – just like the One who came to save us did.
The church is under attack. The church is lost. We, the church are lost! Please don’t think I’m saying you are lost, because I’m not, but ‘we’ the ‘church’ are lost. I sometimes wonder whether or not there is a divine prerogative in all of this, or are we just been ignorant towards the mission of the church? And, I suppose if we were ‘found’ we’d be in heaven…so, there’s still work to be done, because obviously we’re not in heaven. Yet.
Church. What’s it there for? Who’s it there for? What is it? I’m sorry, but the day we start to think the church is there for its own people, that’s the day we will have lost the plot. The church doesn’t exist for itself. The church should be a beacon of hope, love, inclusion and peace. Not a symbol of exclusiveness, brokenness, judgement and double standards. The church is a living monument, where the Holy Spirit dwells, and is a mighty force for saving souls. I do not want to sit. I want to stand. My worship is going to be living, breathing God in the real world.
WWJD. What Would Jesus Do? We’ve all heard of that one. And some of us have even worn it around our wrists. We are fragile beings. Easily tempted. Easily destroyed. Let’s stand firm. Let’s stand up when God’s work is being masked, prevented, and mis-interpreted. Don’t leave it to someone else to do. You are the church. Let’s walk together. What Would Jesus Do? Ok, you’ve had long enough to think about it…now do it!
Let’s be honest. We’re the lost ones too. Let’s continually find our Father when we daily walk astray. Let us persistently confess and ask for forgiveness. Let our hearts be full of love and passion for the lost world we are privileged to help reconcile with God again. If you are already doing it…do it with everything that you’ve got. If you’re not…consider the consequences if you did. If I’m good enough for the divine Lord, then I’m good enough for you.
The church worldwide is currently under media fire. The church is perceived to be corrupt with alleged child abuse cases. The church is threatened to be split by the matter of enabling women to fulfil their mission call to be Bishops. Churches are closing down because they cannot afford to make ‘necessary repairs’ and maintenance costs. Can you believe these churches are symbols of our saving grace – Jesus. Something has gone terribly wrong. There are millions of lost souls in the world! There is nothing ‘necessary’ about repairing a wall when the world’s relationship with God needs repairing. Sorry – but I do not want associated to the church that thinks like this. I want to be associated with the church that has a raging mad, love, passion and energy – just like the One who came to save us did.
The church is under attack. The church is lost. We, the church are lost! Please don’t think I’m saying you are lost, because I’m not, but ‘we’ the ‘church’ are lost. I sometimes wonder whether or not there is a divine prerogative in all of this, or are we just been ignorant towards the mission of the church? And, I suppose if we were ‘found’ we’d be in heaven…so, there’s still work to be done, because obviously we’re not in heaven. Yet.
Church. What’s it there for? Who’s it there for? What is it? I’m sorry, but the day we start to think the church is there for its own people, that’s the day we will have lost the plot. The church doesn’t exist for itself. The church should be a beacon of hope, love, inclusion and peace. Not a symbol of exclusiveness, brokenness, judgement and double standards. The church is a living monument, where the Holy Spirit dwells, and is a mighty force for saving souls. I do not want to sit. I want to stand. My worship is going to be living, breathing God in the real world.
WWJD. What Would Jesus Do? We’ve all heard of that one. And some of us have even worn it around our wrists. We are fragile beings. Easily tempted. Easily destroyed. Let’s stand firm. Let’s stand up when God’s work is being masked, prevented, and mis-interpreted. Don’t leave it to someone else to do. You are the church. Let’s walk together. What Would Jesus Do? Ok, you’ve had long enough to think about it…now do it!
Let’s be honest. We’re the lost ones too. Let’s continually find our Father when we daily walk astray. Let us persistently confess and ask for forgiveness. Let our hearts be full of love and passion for the lost world we are privileged to help reconcile with God again. If you are already doing it…do it with everything that you’ve got. If you’re not…consider the consequences if you did. If I’m good enough for the divine Lord, then I’m good enough for you.
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