Book Review:

The Unchurched Next Door

by Thom Rainer

I had an opportunity to pick up this book by Thom Rainer and it is a good one. Thom put together a team of researchers to find out from people if they would be open to attending church or hearing more about Jesus.  The researchers polled 306 non-believers in 50 states to see their openness to Christians.

Rainer was able to categorize those who were not Christians into 5 distinct categories, from those who are so receptive to the Gospel that all they needed was someone to ask them to follow Christ; to those who are so against Christ and the church that only an act of the Holy Spirit would change their conviction.  Understanding people's receptiveness to the Gospel changes the way that we speak to them, invite them to church and how we do both of those.

Rainer says that 80% of people polled would say "yes" to coming to church if they were invited by a friend or co-worker.  Though not all would be open to becoming a Christian many would give church a try if only invited.  Below is a chart Rainer put together in regard to how people would prefer to hear about church:

This book is definately a good read to get those evangelistic juices flowing and a book of hope as well to encourage us that people are receptive to the Gospel though it may not seem like it at times.  If you are interested in the read let me know and I will get you a copy.

aaron

The Church Today

Acts 29

Go ahead, read Acts 29. . . Okay, you got me, there is no Acts chapter 29.  In fact, the book of Acts ends without resolve.  If Acts were a movie you would stay seated through the credits, upset that there was no real conclusion.  What ever did happen to Paul, his followers and the church?  How does it end?!?!?

Since the time that Luke penned Acts 28, we have been living in Acts 29.  Writing new chapters of the church, taking the church to new places, and doing new things.  The church is fluid, constantly in change, led by men of God, understanding that God is always doing a new thing.  Books have been written by men who have done incredible things through the church.  Bob Russell's book, When God Builds His Church, is a great read; Rick Warren has done amazing things through his church and his book Purpose Driven Church has encouraged and driven many churches and it's leaders.  Carl George wrote his book, Preparing Your Church for the Future; Erwin McManus writes about the church in An Unstoppable Force; Jim Cymbala talks about how he turned his church around in Fresh Fire Fresh Wind.

All of these books I have read and all of these books are inspiring.  Each one had a different plan, each one a different theory, each one God used differently.  As Bob Russel says, 

The methods we have implemented at Southeast Christian Church may or may not work at your church.  You can't fight Goliath wearing Saul's armor.  You can't minister with someone else's style.  You have to be yourself and adapt to the culture around you.

He also says,

I don't know what monumental challenges lie ahead in this new millennium.  But I know we're still playing the same game.  It's the same Bible we are teaching, the same truth we are proclaiming, the same Lord we are exalting.

When God speaks of the church we are never given a list of "how to's."  There is no list of things we have to do in the way of music, preaching, communion or offering.  As the Restoration movement, we as a church try to reflect the church in the book of Acts as best as we can; yet we cannot forget that the overall pupose of the church is to bring others to a knowledge of Jesus.

Erwin McManus in his book says:  "God has a lot on his mind, and it is through the church that he makes it happen."

This week's challenge:  Spend some time praying about the church this week, take some time to encourage others in the church and those outside of it.  Next Sunday, purposefully encourage 3 people before you do anything.

There is Power in the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 3:14-21

¹⁴For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

 ²⁰Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

This section of scripture is so powerful!  Last night in our small group we had a great discussion about verse 16.  We live in a world that pushes us to be strong on the outside no matter how we truly feel on the inside.  "Fake it till you make it," is a common montra.  The Lord though, desires to strengthen us from within our inner being to strengthen our faith, to dwell in our hearts so that we are able to live it in our actions.  It is quite the opposite of what the world teaches us.  The world says: No matter how you feel on the inside act strong and you will be strong.  The Lord says: Plant your roots in me and I will give you the peace and strength to make it through each day.

When life seems overwhelming we must not forget our Savior and the power that he has given us through his Holy Spirit.  Ask him for the strength to make it through each day, and do not be surprised when the Lord gives you peace in the storms, and joy in the most sorrowful times.

There is Power in the Cross

I have a character flaws.  I know some of you are shocked, others are finally glad I'm coming to grips with it.  One way that I tend to struggle, is this need to be validated.  For some reason, especially from those within my profession and those I work closely with, I want to be recognized.  I want to know that I'm doing something right and that someone noticed.

The truth is, many of us are just like this and it's not a bad issue to have (on a sliding scale compared to things like murder).  Yet, I still need to working on it.  The Bible tells me I should not be looking for the praise or recognition of man, it's only God I should be doing anything for.  I should not be concerned about what any one else says or thinks.  Because I understand that their is power in the cross, I know that I don't have to be perfect but as Paul says, "I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." (Philippians 3:12b)  On the other hand because Jesus has done soooo much for me, it should be my goal to be ALL that I can be for him.

If you are suffering from an "oh hum" kind of faith my prayer for you is that you will find the power that is found only in the beauty of the cross.  That even through your little sins God is looking to make you whole, He is not done with you yet.  Whether your struggle is lying, a poor attitude, a low expectation of yourself and others; God is still working.  You are not to be lack luster, the cross is full of power, and you can be as well.

Challenge:  Pick an area in your life that you want to have power in.  Pray over that area, ask God to heal, challenge, and set you free from even your littlest of sins.

Benevolance or Evangelism

In this week's e-news article from standard, Mike Schrage writes an article on whether the church should be focused on the economy or on evangelism.  

It is a question that needs asked and ultimately the answer will give us an idea on our perspective on life.  Do we trust God with everything?  Do we believe Him when He says that He will care for ALL of our NEEDS?

In Matthew 6 Jesus encourages us to not worry about anything, whether we are going to eat or drink, or what we are going to wear.  That sort of thing is not to be our concern.  God's directive: don't worry about anything.

In Matthew 28 Jesus then tells us we need to be taking his message out to others, to disciple, baptize and teach.  God's directive:  Go with the Message!

When you put these two directives together, it sure makes a lot of sense, don't worry about anything, go with the Message!

aaron