THE BLOG
Topic
- Anxiety 2
- Beauty 1
- Bible 5
- Blessings 1
- Body of Christ 1
- Burden 1
- CEO 1
- Christian Living 127
- Christlikeness 6
- Christmas 12
- Commandments 1
- Community 1
- Conflict 1
- Cults 1
- Culture 1
- DDM 1
- Death 1
- Discipleship 5
- Emotions 4
- Eternity 2
- Evangelism 6
- Faith 2
- Forgive 2
- Freedom 1
- Fusion 1
- Gather 1
- God 2
- Gospel 2
- Gratitude 1
- Hebrews 11 1
- Holiness 1
- Holy Spirit 1
- Homosexuality 1
- Humility 1
- Israel 2
- Jesus 6
- Joy 2
- King of Glory 1
- Lying 1
- Missions 1
- Outreach 1
- Pastor Jeff 1
- Perspective 2
- Prayer 7
- Psalm 119 3
- Reading 1
- Salvation 13
- Sanctification 1
- Satan 1
- Scripture 2
Makeup of U.S. & Church
I read the following “Fast Facts” this week from Lifeway Research about some of the demographics of the United States and the church. These give us some insight into our mission field as well as faith beliefs and church life. Take a moment to think about what these numbers might tell you about the needs and opportunities we have in and outside the church.
U.S. Population: 330 million (Global Population: 7.7 billion)
Population by Region: 17.1% (Northeast); 20.8% (Midwest); 23.9% (West); 38.3% (South)
I Love the Church, Don’t You?
It is no surprise that the greatest organization on the face of the earth, the church, would be beset with all sorts of struggles, weaknesses, and imperfections in its earthly expression. Why? Simply because you and I are part of it. Enough said. But oh, how I love the church! There is nothing like her in terms of her origin (founded by our Creator, Redeemer, and King Jesus), her mission (to provide the ultimate remedy of life for our ultimate disease of sin), and her viability (she survives and thrives beyond any and all obstacle or opposition).
What’s Your G.E. Quotient
One of the ways churches want to stand out is by their culture of friendliness to newcomers. I call this the G.E. quotient, meaning our guest engagement factor.
One of the truths and experiences we hold dear as believers is how God designed us as relational people who find great joy in all the various relationships He blesses us with: marriage, family, siblings, friends, neighbors, classmates, teammates, gym partners, work colleagues, affinity groups, church family, AND meeting those who are new to our church.
The Power of the Minority
One of the things we quickly learn about God is how unpredictable, uncharacteristic, and unorthodox He is. He is so superior and so unique; He refuses to be put in a box. God reminds us that “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways” (Isa. 55:8), and “How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!” (Rom. 11:33b). One of His unorthodox ways is His use of the minority.
The Church in 3D
Defined. The word “church” is a translation of the Greek word ekklesia, which is defined as “an assembly” or “called-out ones.” The church is not a building, a place, or a meeting. The church is people—people who have received every spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3), people chosen by God (Eph. 1:4) for His own possession (1 Pet. 2:9), people who by grace have been saved through faith (Eph. 2:8), forgiven people (Col. 1:14), people no longer condemned (Rom. 8:1) but declared righteous (Rom. 5:8). The church is people in whom the Spirit of God dwells (Eph. 1:13), people who imitate God (Eph. 5:1), ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor. 5:20). We are the Church!
