Archive for Why Church?
Lessons from NorthwayChurch.tv, Pt.1
Posted by: | CommentsThis past weekend my wife (Dawn) and I got the privilege of visiting Northway Church (www.northwaychurch.tv) in Albay, NY (actually two locations, Clifton Park and Colonie). WOW! Jesus is really in this place. Jesus is all over this church and its pastors. I was so blown away by their heart for Jesus and His mission. No doubt their program and facilities were amazingly impressive, but it was their hearts that really grabbed me. They were so focused on lifting up Jesus no matter what the cost!
The Lead Pastor, Buddy Cremeans (www.buddycremeans.com) recently spoke at our WARRIOR CONFERENCE in May. Buddy’s willingness to invest in my wife and I was just humbling. We travelled to Northway with our friends from Next Level Church in Dover, NH (www.nlc.tv) and their lead pastor, Josh Gagnon (www.joshuagagnon.com). I am still trying to process all that I learned from this trip, but let me start to unload a bit here:
HONOR
The number one thing I picked up from the culture of Northway Church was HONOR. WOW! They have created such an amazing culture of honor in their faith community. Let me try and break that down for you.
First, my wife and I were honored as their guests. Seriously, when we first arrived on the scene at Northway Church their staff gave us a guided tour and introduced us to their people like we were CELEBRITY SUPERSTARS. And it wasn’t that they had nothing else going on (it was packed with people, plus they had a special guest preacher in town Mac Richard from Austin, TX (www.macrichard.com). Every chance their staff could get they honored us by lifting us up as daring church planters in New England (which anyone who is willing to plant a church in New England is crazy for Jesus to begin with:)
A Church Jesus Wants to Be In, Pt.6
Posted by: | CommentsNow I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. (Mat 16:18 NLT)
Number Six: all the powers of hell WILL NOT CONQUER IT
If we are to be a part of the UNSTOPPABLE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST then we can not settle for mediocrity, the status quo, or half-hearted ministry efforts. Honestly, I know that I have made plenty of excuses in my life for WHY I JUST CAN’T GIVE 100% TO JESUS AND HIS MISSION: “I can’t afford it, I don’t have the time, I am not smart enough, others can do it without me, I don’t want to fail, I don’t want to be rejected, I don’t want to take a risk, I need to play it safe, I need more down time, I need more money, I need less stress, etc… Sometimes we simply ignore what Jesus has told us to do in His word, the Bible. Other times it is more subtle, and we just get comfortable in a pace that is not rocking the boat or causing a lot of “anxiety” and stress. God knows we like to “keep the peace”. Unfortunately, “keeping the peace” won’t win this war against evil and darkness in our world, only as we engage in the battle for people’s souls can we be a part of JESUS UNSTOPPABLE FORCE, THE LOCAL CHURCH!
We must strive for excellence in everything we do. Every missional effort must be filled with a passion to DO IT ALL FOR GOD’S GLORY – to do our absolute best with whatever resources we have been entrusted with. Whether it is leading people in worship during a weekend gathering, facilitating discussion in a small group bible study, or helping a neighbor paint his house – we should do it all with excellence (even when we don’t have great skills in that particular area). By the way – IF IT WAS EASY, EVERYONE WOULD BE DOING IT!
Let’s make this about the SUCCESS OF JESUS AND NOT OUR OWN SUCCESS!
A Church Jesus Wants to Be In, Pt.5
Posted by: | CommentsNow I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. (Mat 16:18 NLT)
Number Five: and all the powers of hell WILL NOT CONQUER IT
If we are to be a part of JESUS’ UNSTOPPABLE CHURCH then we must come to grips with this paradox: Ministry is both grueling and great; it is both risky and rewarding. In fact, one of my mentors (I only met him a few times in person, but I love to follow his ministry online) Ed Young Jr (www.edyoungblog.com) says that MINISTRY IS BRUTAFUL. There is a BRUTAL side to ministry, and there is a BEAUTIFUL side to ministry. Ministry is BRUTAFUL. If you are in ministry in any capacity and you are looking to be a part of the UNSTOPPABLE CHURCH OF JESUS, THEN EXPECT THE PATH TO BE BRUTAFUL. You will be beat up, you will be attacked, you will be worn out, you will get tired; but be of good cheer – greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world! What an honor to be BRUTIFIED BY JESUS, TO BE BEAT UP FOR THE CAUSE OF CHRIST! It is only as the church engages the brutal side of ministry that she can become the beautiful bride she is meant to be! Consider it an honor to absorb the brutal blows of ministry, knowing full well that your reward in heaven will be far greater than any pain or suffering here on earth!
What brutal side of ministry are you facing right now? Have you talked with your ministry coach or pastor about this? What beautiful side of ministry can you be thanking Jesus for right now (do that and then share it with someone else who is feeling the brutal side)?
A Church Jesus Wants to Be In, Pt.4
Posted by: | CommentsNow I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. (Mat 16:18 NLT)
Number Four: And all the powers of hell WILL NOT CONQUER IT
The Church of Jesus is unstoppable. I didn’t think of that or make that up, Jesus did! When the church lifts up Jesus, Jesus builds the church, and when Jesus builds the church – THE CHURCH IS UNSTOPPABLE. It kills me that so many “well-intentioned” Jesus-learners are missing out on the beauty and power of the church, the Body of Christ. I would rather be run over by Jesus than get in the way of what Jesus wants to do in this church and this world!
Many well-meaning Christ-followers are living defeated “Christian” lives because they are not running with the church. We are to follow Jesus (not the church); but we are to follow Jesus “with the church”! Come on now, Jesus shed His blood for the church, and we are whining about attending worship gatherings every Sunday, and possibly serving people in uncomfortable ways!
