I've sat in churches before that are the perfect illustration of consumerism at work. I have been a consumer.
I've sat in churches that were the love of Christ, yet I slipped through the cracks. I hated them all... stupid hugs.
I've sat in churches that cared more about their freakin' organ than the salvation of the youth generation. I watched.
I've been the worship pastor of an awesome church called Journey Church that is called to reach the city, be the hands and feet of Christ, bleed with the bleeding, cry with the crying, stand in the gap and declare joy over broken lives, but I consumed, watched, feared, misunderstood.
The last one is a bit melodramatic, but still true. It has taken me a while to understand that we are finally, as a church and as leadership, beginning to see church in full context. To keep it simple, we are
1. loving
2. accountable
3. the whole church, not just leadership, is starting to walk in our calling/giftings (even if we don't fully understand what they are). Not to mention some leaders (myself included) are starting to walk with confidence in what God has called them to.
4. in love with the word of God
5. not backing down from fights and faith challenges
6. etc., etc.
My point is that I've sat years in church and did not see the full picture of what church is. Besides Journey Church being the first church that is healthy, well rounded, and proud of it; serving, discipling, teaching, worshiping, evangelising, etc.
How long has it been since you got up for church and put on your pants with purpose? With passion? With expectancy to see God use YOU to reach someone at church?
It's your mission field, and a very focused one at that. You can learn as you teach (maybe not literally teach, but teach by what you do). Our church is a mission field. Go to church with ulterior motives. Go ready to learn and worship, but go ready to pour out and give. So this Sunday get on board cuz we're going on a trip!!!
I've sat in churches that were the love of Christ, yet I slipped through the cracks. I hated them all... stupid hugs.
I've sat in churches that cared more about their freakin' organ than the salvation of the youth generation. I watched.
I've been the worship pastor of an awesome church called Journey Church that is called to reach the city, be the hands and feet of Christ, bleed with the bleeding, cry with the crying, stand in the gap and declare joy over broken lives, but I consumed, watched, feared, misunderstood.
The last one is a bit melodramatic, but still true. It has taken me a while to understand that we are finally, as a church and as leadership, beginning to see church in full context. To keep it simple, we are
1. loving
2. accountable
3. the whole church, not just leadership, is starting to walk in our calling/giftings (even if we don't fully understand what they are). Not to mention some leaders (myself included) are starting to walk with confidence in what God has called them to.
4. in love with the word of God
5. not backing down from fights and faith challenges
6. etc., etc.
My point is that I've sat years in church and did not see the full picture of what church is. Besides Journey Church being the first church that is healthy, well rounded, and proud of it; serving, discipling, teaching, worshiping, evangelising, etc.
I realize how much church is a mission field. A place you go with purpose!!
Now I say that with the exclusion of non-saved and relatively new Christians (however, even new Christians can greet and show people the love that they've just found).How long has it been since you got up for church and put on your pants with purpose? With passion? With expectancy to see God use YOU to reach someone at church?
It's your mission field, and a very focused one at that. You can learn as you teach (maybe not literally teach, but teach by what you do). Our church is a mission field. Go to church with ulterior motives. Go ready to learn and worship, but go ready to pour out and give. So this Sunday get on board cuz we're going on a trip!!!
