Sometimes I wonder if we think that the Church is here for us, forgetting that we are the Church, and we are here for the world. Here we are, entering the 7th year of the New Millennium. It is a whole new world out there. Some churches act with the following spirit: “Stop the world, the church wants to get on.” But the world refuses to stop.
Instead we must realize that our God does not play “catch up” with the world around. He is always ahead. It’s time the church speeds up, gets ahead, and let the world get on and get in to be reached.
In any transition there are 5 mechanisms of dealing with change:
Hold out.
Keep out.
Move out.
Close out.
Reach out.
Regardless which turn the culture takes the only option we have is to reach out. And to reach out we must know where this world is.
So, let’s get up to speed in this New Year. The culture around us can be defined in 4 realities:
Experiential Participatory Image-driven Connecting
Case in point would be the TV mega-hit show “Who wants to be a Millionaire?” where viewers and participants are invited to share experience together, where “lifelines” connect studio and TV audience with contestants for direct participation, where an image of a Million bucks, and the lifestyle of a millionaire is well known and appealing, where even lone individual on the center stage is connected with the audience community rooting for him/her.
Living such an E.P.I.C. life our Church would be Biblically Absolute and Culturally Relevant. As I reflect on these four characteristics of the postmodern world I am encouraged to see that our Ministry in the 21st century has more in common with the passion of the 1st century Apostolic Church, than with the modern secular world collapsing all around us.
As we move into the future – let us encourage each other about Our Lord Jesus Who is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8) and His timeless truths are always timely. His Ancient Words are ever true - changing me, and changing you.
I wish you all an E.P.I.C. New Year!
Saturday, January 7, 2006
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Nominations or Permission? LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!
G.K.Chesterton once commented: “The more I considered Christianity, the more I have found that while it had established a rule and order, the chief aim of that order was to give room for good things to run wild.”
Here we are, finally voting on the Nominating Committee’s Report. Some people can’t wait for the ceremony and sport of the Nominating time. Others can’t stand it, for all the anxiety it creates. Some feel that we design our efforts around making sure NOTHING happens in order to avoid the worst possible scenario.
When I consider the first Christian church – they were all about making disciples, not about making decisions. Counsels met not to nominate but to endorse spiritual initiatives by Spirit indwelled people. The first Christian church did not sit in conclaves puffing smoke to decide who will do what. They had people in leadership with the gift of Discernment watching for manifestations of Spiritual Gifts to recognize, affirm, endorse and support all ministries prompted by the Holy Spirit.
This year we had struggled to appoint leaders into offices. It is our hope that as the Body of Christ we will transition from Nominating to Giving Permission and Recognizing God given Ministries & Gifts.
Think of the perfect Biblical metaphor of the Church as the Body! Body parts do not decide what functions to assign or reassign annually. Let’s make a kidney a heart for this year, or let’s make an eye function as a tongue, or better yet……(you can fill in the blanks as you wish).
Just imagine if the lungs would have to wait ear’s appointment to take a breath. The involuntary system of the Body functions because parts are assigned by Design. The Spiritual Body members, the individual people-cells, do have Divine Purpose, Divine Design, fitting each into the Body for harmonious functioning.
Yet even in the Body cells have a freedom, just as in the Body of Faith individuals have freedom to do as they please. In the physical body there are cells that become disloyal, that live for themselves. These cancer cells are as healthy as others, they just live for themselves, becoming controllers, and making the Body dysfunctional for selfish reasons. In the Body of Christ we can live on behalf of the Common Good, or Self – Your Choice to make. If we chose to bless diversity of one another and cooperate with each other for the Purpose of the Body – the Body is healthy and grows. If we live for self – we will prosper for a time, until the Body dies and we with it.
Speaking of choices Paul warned the church on this topic: “All things are permissible, but not all beneficial. You say, "I am allowed to do anything.” True, but not everything is constructive, not all things build up.” (1st Corinthians 10:23)
If you find that your functionality was not recognized, and you have not been given permission to function according to God’s calling – speak to your elected leaders, join the network of cells working in that calling, connect with others who are doing what you would like to do, let your purpose and calling be known. Give life to the Body!
Here we are, finally voting on the Nominating Committee’s Report. Some people can’t wait for the ceremony and sport of the Nominating time. Others can’t stand it, for all the anxiety it creates. Some feel that we design our efforts around making sure NOTHING happens in order to avoid the worst possible scenario.
When I consider the first Christian church – they were all about making disciples, not about making decisions. Counsels met not to nominate but to endorse spiritual initiatives by Spirit indwelled people. The first Christian church did not sit in conclaves puffing smoke to decide who will do what. They had people in leadership with the gift of Discernment watching for manifestations of Spiritual Gifts to recognize, affirm, endorse and support all ministries prompted by the Holy Spirit.
This year we had struggled to appoint leaders into offices. It is our hope that as the Body of Christ we will transition from Nominating to Giving Permission and Recognizing God given Ministries & Gifts.
Think of the perfect Biblical metaphor of the Church as the Body! Body parts do not decide what functions to assign or reassign annually. Let’s make a kidney a heart for this year, or let’s make an eye function as a tongue, or better yet……(you can fill in the blanks as you wish).
Just imagine if the lungs would have to wait ear’s appointment to take a breath. The involuntary system of the Body functions because parts are assigned by Design. The Spiritual Body members, the individual people-cells, do have Divine Purpose, Divine Design, fitting each into the Body for harmonious functioning.
Yet even in the Body cells have a freedom, just as in the Body of Faith individuals have freedom to do as they please. In the physical body there are cells that become disloyal, that live for themselves. These cancer cells are as healthy as others, they just live for themselves, becoming controllers, and making the Body dysfunctional for selfish reasons. In the Body of Christ we can live on behalf of the Common Good, or Self – Your Choice to make. If we chose to bless diversity of one another and cooperate with each other for the Purpose of the Body – the Body is healthy and grows. If we live for self – we will prosper for a time, until the Body dies and we with it.
Speaking of choices Paul warned the church on this topic: “All things are permissible, but not all beneficial. You say, "I am allowed to do anything.” True, but not everything is constructive, not all things build up.” (1st Corinthians 10:23)
If you find that your functionality was not recognized, and you have not been given permission to function according to God’s calling – speak to your elected leaders, join the network of cells working in that calling, connect with others who are doing what you would like to do, let your purpose and calling be known. Give life to the Body!
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Christianity is not what you think… from BELIEF to FAITH
Quite often we use words BELIEF and FAITH interchangeably. The ancient Biblical languages did it – both, Hebrew & Greek, have used the same root word for these. Yet, as you see in English – we have chosen to use different words, even different meaning.
TO BELIEVE is TO ADMIT, to adopt a belief system. Whereas FAITH is much more – it is to COMMIT. To become a Christian is not to adopt a new beliefs only, but is to be transformed into Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Faith is accepting Jesus’ invitation “Follow Me!” and goes beyond an intellectual adherence to certain ideas.
Jesus’ test of faith was not a multiple choice aptitude exam of knowing precepts and formulations, but simply “love for one another.” So, let me put it this way: Christianity is not what you think! As I visit families and people, especially those who have been disconnected from the church in years, I hear time after time their affirmation of being Adventists. And I want to plead with them: you don’t know what being Adventist means! Adventists are first of all Christians! Adventists are not just peculiar people with a different philosophy of theology, not just a system of weird rules, not a list of DON’Ts! Our identity is found in Christ, the Person, in our relationships with God and people, not in belonging to a system
We are people in love with Jesus, people in relationship with God, and in relationship with each other. That’s what the Hebrew concept of the “Covenant” was all about – entering into relationships! That is what Jesus’ concept of “Salvation” was all about – returning to a relationship with God and each other! It is all about being reconciled and entering renewed relationships with God and each other.
Every time we come to the Lord’s Supper we are reminded of the Family we are in Christ. We are challenged to be reconciled with each other. We are invited to renew our covenants and relationships.
This time of the year we look over of what we have accomplished, what we have done, and we also look over the significant relationships that were built, relationships that need to be mended.
And it is in this context I am reminded of Paul’s prayer for all believers “that Christ may live in your hearts through faith, planted in love and built on love.” (Ephesians 3:17) Faith & Love always come together in the New Testament. Faith Produces Love (Galatians 5:6) Together these are the breastplate of those who call themselves Christian. (1 Thessalonians 5:8)
TO BELIEVE is TO ADMIT, to adopt a belief system. Whereas FAITH is much more – it is to COMMIT. To become a Christian is not to adopt a new beliefs only, but is to be transformed into Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Faith is accepting Jesus’ invitation “Follow Me!” and goes beyond an intellectual adherence to certain ideas.
Jesus’ test of faith was not a multiple choice aptitude exam of knowing precepts and formulations, but simply “love for one another.” So, let me put it this way: Christianity is not what you think! As I visit families and people, especially those who have been disconnected from the church in years, I hear time after time their affirmation of being Adventists. And I want to plead with them: you don’t know what being Adventist means! Adventists are first of all Christians! Adventists are not just peculiar people with a different philosophy of theology, not just a system of weird rules, not a list of DON’Ts! Our identity is found in Christ, the Person, in our relationships with God and people, not in belonging to a system
We are people in love with Jesus, people in relationship with God, and in relationship with each other. That’s what the Hebrew concept of the “Covenant” was all about – entering into relationships! That is what Jesus’ concept of “Salvation” was all about – returning to a relationship with God and each other! It is all about being reconciled and entering renewed relationships with God and each other.
Every time we come to the Lord’s Supper we are reminded of the Family we are in Christ. We are challenged to be reconciled with each other. We are invited to renew our covenants and relationships.
This time of the year we look over of what we have accomplished, what we have done, and we also look over the significant relationships that were built, relationships that need to be mended.
And it is in this context I am reminded of Paul’s prayer for all believers “that Christ may live in your hearts through faith, planted in love and built on love.” (Ephesians 3:17) Faith & Love always come together in the New Testament. Faith Produces Love (Galatians 5:6) Together these are the breastplate of those who call themselves Christian. (1 Thessalonians 5:8)
Saturday, December 3, 2005
THINGS WE DON'T TALK ABOUT... WHAT ABOUT CHRISTMAS?
It's that time of the year when some parents are troubled about what to do - Christmas tree: to be or not to be? What is the right thing to do? Isn't Christmas of pagan origins, and is more commercialized than spiritually sound? Recently a young mother said to me "but the Bible says that we can't have the Christmas tree." You know my answer - "Really?" So, the husband fixed it - "It's in the Spirit of Prophecy." This time my "Really?" was even stronger!
I understand that there are certain cultural preferences and traditions that determine right and wrong for many. And we don’t want to impose on your cultural beliefs. However, as Adventists we live free from cultural inhibitions and walk in the liberty of the Spirit.
I encourage you to read Chapter 77 in the book Adventist Home by Ellen G. White. Here I would simply quote a few short excerpts from it.
This Day Not to Be Ignored. As the 25th of December is observed to commemorate the birth of Christ, as the children have been instructed by precept and example that this was indeed a day of gladness and rejoicing, you will find it a difficult matter to pass over this period without giving it some attention. It can be made to serve a very good purpose. (478)
The Interchange of Gifts as Tokens of Affection.-- old and young are intently studying what they can bestow upon their friends as a token of affectionate remembrance. It is pleasant to receive a gift, however small, from those we love. It is an assurance that we are not forgotten, and seems to bind us to them a little closer. (478-479) talking about Loving Relationships!!! (my comment)
By the world the holidays are spent in frivolity and extravagance, gluttony and display…. But it is our privilege to depart from the customs and practices of this degenerate age; and instead of expending means merely for the gratification of the appetite or for needless ornaments or articles of clothing, we may make the coming holidays an occasion in which to honor and glorify God. (480)
God would be well pleased if on Christmas each church would have a Christmas tree on which shall be hung offerings, great and small, for these houses of worship... There is no particular sin in selecting a fragrant evergreen and placing it in our churches, but the sin lies in the motive which prompts to action and the use which is made of the gifts placed upon the tree. (482)
Christmas and New Year celebrations can and should be held in behalf of those who are helpless. God is glorified when we give to help those who have large families to support. (482)
So, let me put it this way - pastor's kids (yeah, the PKs) have set their tree with Jesus manger beside it, reminding them that Jesus is coming back again, and we are one year closer to it.
I understand that there are certain cultural preferences and traditions that determine right and wrong for many. And we don’t want to impose on your cultural beliefs. However, as Adventists we live free from cultural inhibitions and walk in the liberty of the Spirit.
I encourage you to read Chapter 77 in the book Adventist Home by Ellen G. White. Here I would simply quote a few short excerpts from it.
This Day Not to Be Ignored. As the 25th of December is observed to commemorate the birth of Christ, as the children have been instructed by precept and example that this was indeed a day of gladness and rejoicing, you will find it a difficult matter to pass over this period without giving it some attention. It can be made to serve a very good purpose. (478)
The Interchange of Gifts as Tokens of Affection.-- old and young are intently studying what they can bestow upon their friends as a token of affectionate remembrance. It is pleasant to receive a gift, however small, from those we love. It is an assurance that we are not forgotten, and seems to bind us to them a little closer. (478-479) talking about Loving Relationships!!! (my comment)
By the world the holidays are spent in frivolity and extravagance, gluttony and display…. But it is our privilege to depart from the customs and practices of this degenerate age; and instead of expending means merely for the gratification of the appetite or for needless ornaments or articles of clothing, we may make the coming holidays an occasion in which to honor and glorify God. (480)
God would be well pleased if on Christmas each church would have a Christmas tree on which shall be hung offerings, great and small, for these houses of worship... There is no particular sin in selecting a fragrant evergreen and placing it in our churches, but the sin lies in the motive which prompts to action and the use which is made of the gifts placed upon the tree. (482)
Christmas and New Year celebrations can and should be held in behalf of those who are helpless. God is glorified when we give to help those who have large families to support. (482)
So, let me put it this way - pastor's kids (yeah, the PKs) have set their tree with Jesus manger beside it, reminding them that Jesus is coming back again, and we are one year closer to it.
Saturday, November 26, 2005
PREPARE THE SANCTUARY!
Recent (November 18) shooting of a teenager - Amon Beckles - a mourner at a funeral for Jamal Hemmings, himself a victim of gunshot slaying a few days earlier, held at the Toronto West Seventh-day Adventist Church, wakes the community of faith to accept the responsibility to positively influence our youth and to prevent escalation of violence in our communities.
Pastor Andrew King of Toronto West Adventist Church, Toronto mayor David Miller, Elder Derrick Nichols, president of the Ontario Conference and several religious leaders, were present at the Church service last Sabbath to support grieving families.
How do you see a church? What is a church for you? Recently I heard a comment "I can't come to a church! It would be hypocritical, because I made mistakes." I am sure you've heard people call church goers "hypocrites." Seems like most people see the church as a showcase for saints, a safe place of refuge where people are holy. Consequently, if you are not holy and perfect - what are you doing in the church?
That is not Biblical view of the Sanctuary. Why did people come to the Temple in Israel? Yes, to pray, to worship, to give thanks! The main reason a person would come is to bring their sins and to leave them behind. Get this: SINNERS CAME TO THE SANCTUARY TO DUMP THEIR SINS THERE.
We, the Seventh-day Adventist made one significant contribution to the Christendom: the SANCTUARY DOCTRINE! Study it, know it, for it is our mission to the dying world - calling people to the Sanctuary!
A garbage dump, a trash can, a waste compactor, a recycle bin - any of these apply to the Sanctuary, to the Church? That is how Israelites knew the Sanctuary. That is exactly what God intended to provide humanity with - a place where we can leave behind all our baggage, all things that beset us, all things that are broken and wasted, so we may live free, so we may receive innocence, Christ's purity and justification.
One day all the collected rubbish will be placed on the scape goat, the devil, where it really belongs. Until then, until the Sanctuary final cleansing - come, bring it, and dump when there's still time!
The Church is a safe place! But not because you and I are there. Because God is there. It is a Holy Place, a Place set apart just for this purpose - to free us from our mess. And it is Holy not because we are holy, but because God is Holy, and makes us too.
Pastor Andrew King of Toronto West Adventist Church, Toronto mayor David Miller, Elder Derrick Nichols, president of the Ontario Conference and several religious leaders, were present at the Church service last Sabbath to support grieving families.
How do you see a church? What is a church for you? Recently I heard a comment "I can't come to a church! It would be hypocritical, because I made mistakes." I am sure you've heard people call church goers "hypocrites." Seems like most people see the church as a showcase for saints, a safe place of refuge where people are holy. Consequently, if you are not holy and perfect - what are you doing in the church?
That is not Biblical view of the Sanctuary. Why did people come to the Temple in Israel? Yes, to pray, to worship, to give thanks! The main reason a person would come is to bring their sins and to leave them behind. Get this: SINNERS CAME TO THE SANCTUARY TO DUMP THEIR SINS THERE.
We, the Seventh-day Adventist made one significant contribution to the Christendom: the SANCTUARY DOCTRINE! Study it, know it, for it is our mission to the dying world - calling people to the Sanctuary!
A garbage dump, a trash can, a waste compactor, a recycle bin - any of these apply to the Sanctuary, to the Church? That is how Israelites knew the Sanctuary. That is exactly what God intended to provide humanity with - a place where we can leave behind all our baggage, all things that beset us, all things that are broken and wasted, so we may live free, so we may receive innocence, Christ's purity and justification.
One day all the collected rubbish will be placed on the scape goat, the devil, where it really belongs. Until then, until the Sanctuary final cleansing - come, bring it, and dump when there's still time!
The Church is a safe place! But not because you and I are there. Because God is there. It is a Holy Place, a Place set apart just for this purpose - to free us from our mess. And it is Holy not because we are holy, but because God is Holy, and makes us too.
Saturday, November 19, 2005
THE BODY GOD HAS PREPARED...
When Christ came into the world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me." (Hebrews 10:5) And as you read the epistle you realize that the Body that God prepared for Christ was for the purpose of sacrifice.
It is interesting that same apostle Paul always emphasizes the fact that the Church is the Body of Christ. The Body that God has prepared for His Son. The Body that is left on Earth to do what Christ did while here on earth. And this Body we called Church is also called to be a sacrifice. We are called to offer our bodies as living sacrifices. (Romans 12:1) Such living is our "reasonable worship" (KJV), "spiritual act o worship" (NIV), or simply put - being sensible to what God has done for us. Is this too much to ask, to sacrifice your life for God?
Quite often we celebrate and emphasize diversity that exists in the Body: we are many different parts. Yet, the main emphasis in all this is the Unity of the Body. Just to think that we are the Body of Christ!
Whenever tragedy strikes people are asking "Where is God?" Philip Yancey suggests: "if the church would be where people are hurting, they wouldn't need to ask "Where is God?" they would see and know Him!"
The Church assembled, as a corporate Body of believers is Christ's Body on Earth. He is the Head of it. We do His Will in obedience.
Leaving this Earth Christ left his Legacy - the Church, as His Body. Spirit of Prophecy reminds us that "as members of the body of Christ all believers are animated by the same spirit and the same hope. Divisions in the church dishonor the religion of Christ before the world and give occasion to the enemies of truth to justify their course. Paul's instructions were not written alone for the church in his day. God designed that they should be sent down to us." (Ellen G. White, Testimonies to the Church, Vol.5, p.239)
Let us live pressing toward the goal, the high honor of being called the Body of Christ!
We are the Body that God has Prepared for our Lord. We are the Bride prepared for the Coming of Her Husband. We are the City whose architect is God. We are the Temple where God dwells. We are the Building of which Christ is Cornerstone. We are His Body!
It is interesting that same apostle Paul always emphasizes the fact that the Church is the Body of Christ. The Body that God has prepared for His Son. The Body that is left on Earth to do what Christ did while here on earth. And this Body we called Church is also called to be a sacrifice. We are called to offer our bodies as living sacrifices. (Romans 12:1) Such living is our "reasonable worship" (KJV), "spiritual act o worship" (NIV), or simply put - being sensible to what God has done for us. Is this too much to ask, to sacrifice your life for God?
Quite often we celebrate and emphasize diversity that exists in the Body: we are many different parts. Yet, the main emphasis in all this is the Unity of the Body. Just to think that we are the Body of Christ!
Whenever tragedy strikes people are asking "Where is God?" Philip Yancey suggests: "if the church would be where people are hurting, they wouldn't need to ask "Where is God?" they would see and know Him!"
The Church assembled, as a corporate Body of believers is Christ's Body on Earth. He is the Head of it. We do His Will in obedience.
Leaving this Earth Christ left his Legacy - the Church, as His Body. Spirit of Prophecy reminds us that "as members of the body of Christ all believers are animated by the same spirit and the same hope. Divisions in the church dishonor the religion of Christ before the world and give occasion to the enemies of truth to justify their course. Paul's instructions were not written alone for the church in his day. God designed that they should be sent down to us." (Ellen G. White, Testimonies to the Church, Vol.5, p.239)
Let us live pressing toward the goal, the high honor of being called the Body of Christ!
We are the Body that God has Prepared for our Lord. We are the Bride prepared for the Coming of Her Husband. We are the City whose architect is God. We are the Temple where God dwells. We are the Building of which Christ is Cornerstone. We are His Body!
Saturday, November 12, 2005
CHRIST'S LEGACY: THE MESSAGE & THE METHOD
This week I have seen God move his people in many ways. Coming together at homes for prayer had been a wonderful experience. Many expressed a wish to carry on with house church / small group meetings. The inspiration and effectiveness is beyond challenge.
What you are experiencing is the nostalgia for the lost art of disciple-making. For almost a century already the Christian church had been loosing the Legacy of Our Lord Jesus. Let me explain! In the Signs of the Times, May 10, 1883 Ellen White wrote “The Son of God, leaving the royal courts of Heaven, takes not his position upon David's throne; but from the swaying seat of a fisherman's boat, speaks the words of eternal wisdom which are to be immortalized in the minds of his disciples and given to the world as the legacy of God."
Jesus left God’s Legacy to this world, and that Legacy is twofold: the Gospel Message and the Discipleship method. Gospel proclamation and discipling as a method for nurturing and spiritual growth are inseparable. Either one is ineffective without the other. That’s why attempts to preach without discipling fail to convert people. That’s why a 30 night evangelistic series needs a strong infrastructure of discipleship groups where people would be cared for.
- Achievement comes when you do great things for and by yourself.
- Success is when others are empowered to do achieve together with you.
- Significance comes when you develop others to do great things for you.
- Legacy comes when people will do great things without you.
Christ’s final promise to be with us until the end of the world is conditional on our living His Legacy. The Great Commission spelled in Matthew 28:19-20 to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” – is a condition that comes before Christ’s promise: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age." We can be sure of His presence only when we are living His Legacy of discipling others. Christ’s Legacy is our Mission.
Imagine a bird that has one wing clipped. Can it fly? Or will it simply go in circles? The church has two wings: Message & the Method, the Gospel & Discipleship, the Large Group celebration & Small Group nurturing.
Pray for God to restore His Legacy in our midst. Pray for God to raise up leaders for house churches. Pray for God to heal our broken wings that we may soar on His Spirit, seeing His Vision, empowered by His Legacy.
Currently the North Church is training a group of 8 leaders for future Small Groups, that should be ready by January to take responsibilities for nurturing believers. Similar training process at the South Church will begin in January. It’s time for the spiritually mature to invest in nurturing others.
So, let me remind you, if we truly are in the Message, we should not ever miss the method - DISCIPLESHIP.
What you are experiencing is the nostalgia for the lost art of disciple-making. For almost a century already the Christian church had been loosing the Legacy of Our Lord Jesus. Let me explain! In the Signs of the Times, May 10, 1883 Ellen White wrote “The Son of God, leaving the royal courts of Heaven, takes not his position upon David's throne; but from the swaying seat of a fisherman's boat, speaks the words of eternal wisdom which are to be immortalized in the minds of his disciples and given to the world as the legacy of God."
Jesus left God’s Legacy to this world, and that Legacy is twofold: the Gospel Message and the Discipleship method. Gospel proclamation and discipling as a method for nurturing and spiritual growth are inseparable. Either one is ineffective without the other. That’s why attempts to preach without discipling fail to convert people. That’s why a 30 night evangelistic series needs a strong infrastructure of discipleship groups where people would be cared for.
- Achievement comes when you do great things for and by yourself.
- Success is when others are empowered to do achieve together with you.
- Significance comes when you develop others to do great things for you.
- Legacy comes when people will do great things without you.
Christ’s final promise to be with us until the end of the world is conditional on our living His Legacy. The Great Commission spelled in Matthew 28:19-20 to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” – is a condition that comes before Christ’s promise: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age." We can be sure of His presence only when we are living His Legacy of discipling others. Christ’s Legacy is our Mission.
Imagine a bird that has one wing clipped. Can it fly? Or will it simply go in circles? The church has two wings: Message & the Method, the Gospel & Discipleship, the Large Group celebration & Small Group nurturing.
Pray for God to restore His Legacy in our midst. Pray for God to raise up leaders for house churches. Pray for God to heal our broken wings that we may soar on His Spirit, seeing His Vision, empowered by His Legacy.
Currently the North Church is training a group of 8 leaders for future Small Groups, that should be ready by January to take responsibilities for nurturing believers. Similar training process at the South Church will begin in January. It’s time for the spiritually mature to invest in nurturing others.
So, let me remind you, if we truly are in the Message, we should not ever miss the method - DISCIPLESHIP.
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