I was told by someone this morning that I had not blogged for a long time and he implied that I needed to. So all morning some things have been buzzing through my mind and so I wrote them down. These are my thoughts and ideas about the church, ministry, life, and faith. It is just a few. I could go further in depth on these but too many words on a blog is a death sentence. So, take a look and leave a comment.
My primary mission is not to do witnessing, but to be witnesses.
I remember when I first became a follower of Christ it was implied by many in the church that what would really please Jesus was to give a verbal account of what Christ has done in my life. I was to witness, or tell someone about Jesus. As I review scripture it really seems to me that this is not the case. In Acts 1:8 Jesus says … you will be my witnesses...This implies more of a life expression than a verbal acknowledgment.
My desire for the church I serve in is not to be a service organization, but to be a redemptive society.
We don’t serve without a purpose. We don’t serve to make life better for people. We serve to restore what was destroyed. We serve to renew what is old and decaying. We serve to reconcile relationships that have been severed. We serve to draw people’s attention to the kingdom of God.
My goal in life is not to make converts, but to make disciples.
Jesus tells us to make disciples, not converts (Matthew 28:19). Jesus is always pursuing people. We just need to put ourselves in those places where he is active and where the Holy Spirit leads us (Philip, Acts 8). Once we are in that place we are to help others know who Jesus is and how they can live for him and others in his kingdom.
I don’t have go to church, but I want to be a member of a community living out the reign of Christ.
Jesus didn’t save me for me. He didn’t die for me to live a life of selfish behavior and isolation. I am saved into his kingdom with other followers who are in Christ so that together we can give witness to his kingdom.
I don’t think the best use of my time is to be in a bible study, the best use of my time is doing what the Jesus tells me to do in his bible.
Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commands” (JN14:15). In reality he was saying that a proof of no love is to not keep his commands. So, just listening to what he says in a bible study and doing nothing in response is not the best use of time. John 1:14 tells us that the Word (Jesus) became flesh (incarnation) and dwelt among us. Jesus put himself (the Word) into practice or flesh. In Matthew 7:23-24 Jesus exhorts every follower to put his word into practice or flesh (incarnation).
My role as a paid staff member is not to do ministry, but it is to gather and equip teams of unpaid servants for redemptive ministry.
The primary role of paid servants is to create an environment in which leaders, at every level, are equipped and replicating the redemptive DNA of the church through living out their spiritual gifts
(EPH 4:11-16).
My reason for giving money to the church is not so the bills get paid. It is not like giving a tip at a restaurant for good service. I give because it shows who really has control of my life.
Jesus said in Matthew 6:21 where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Lets face reality, what you spend your money on shows the priorities in your life. If I am reluctant to give to the work and ministry of Jesus do I really love Jesus?
I don’t pray to get what I want, I pray to get what God wants.
Right from the start in the Lord’s Prayer (MT6:10) Jesus lays out the priority in prayer, “your (God) kingdom come, your (God) will be done.” I pray out of desire to see the reign of Christ a reality in his creation more than to see my reign realized in my world.
My primary mission is not to do witnessing, but to be witnesses.
I remember when I first became a follower of Christ it was implied by many in the church that what would really please Jesus was to give a verbal account of what Christ has done in my life. I was to witness, or tell someone about Jesus. As I review scripture it really seems to me that this is not the case. In Acts 1:8 Jesus says … you will be my witnesses...This implies more of a life expression than a verbal acknowledgment.
My desire for the church I serve in is not to be a service organization, but to be a redemptive society.
We don’t serve without a purpose. We don’t serve to make life better for people. We serve to restore what was destroyed. We serve to renew what is old and decaying. We serve to reconcile relationships that have been severed. We serve to draw people’s attention to the kingdom of God.
My goal in life is not to make converts, but to make disciples.
Jesus tells us to make disciples, not converts (Matthew 28:19). Jesus is always pursuing people. We just need to put ourselves in those places where he is active and where the Holy Spirit leads us (Philip, Acts 8). Once we are in that place we are to help others know who Jesus is and how they can live for him and others in his kingdom.
I don’t have go to church, but I want to be a member of a community living out the reign of Christ.
Jesus didn’t save me for me. He didn’t die for me to live a life of selfish behavior and isolation. I am saved into his kingdom with other followers who are in Christ so that together we can give witness to his kingdom.
I don’t think the best use of my time is to be in a bible study, the best use of my time is doing what the Jesus tells me to do in his bible.
Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commands” (JN14:15). In reality he was saying that a proof of no love is to not keep his commands. So, just listening to what he says in a bible study and doing nothing in response is not the best use of time. John 1:14 tells us that the Word (Jesus) became flesh (incarnation) and dwelt among us. Jesus put himself (the Word) into practice or flesh. In Matthew 7:23-24 Jesus exhorts every follower to put his word into practice or flesh (incarnation).
My role as a paid staff member is not to do ministry, but it is to gather and equip teams of unpaid servants for redemptive ministry.
The primary role of paid servants is to create an environment in which leaders, at every level, are equipped and replicating the redemptive DNA of the church through living out their spiritual gifts
(EPH 4:11-16).
My reason for giving money to the church is not so the bills get paid. It is not like giving a tip at a restaurant for good service. I give because it shows who really has control of my life.
Jesus said in Matthew 6:21 where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Lets face reality, what you spend your money on shows the priorities in your life. If I am reluctant to give to the work and ministry of Jesus do I really love Jesus?
I don’t pray to get what I want, I pray to get what God wants.
Right from the start in the Lord’s Prayer (MT6:10) Jesus lays out the priority in prayer, “your (God) kingdom come, your (God) will be done.” I pray out of desire to see the reign of Christ a reality in his creation more than to see my reign realized in my world.
Wow. That was great Ed! I really appreciate your words.
Posted by: Heather Troxell | June 01, 2009 at 10:23 PM