I recently categorized those reasons some churches experience revitalization. I then compared them to churches that have not been revitalized. I found seven differences between the two sets of churches. These are the seven traits unique to the revitalized churches:
Read moreThe majority of delegates at ReNew 2014 were incumbents of local churches, with a large number of
curates and churchwardens.
Students in the New York City campus will be trained to start churches by pursuing a two-year master's of arts degree in biblical studies at $430-450 per credit hour before receiving another year of pastoral church planting education from Redeemer. The campus will likely launch in Redeemer's offices near Herald Square in Manhattan.
Read moreThey expect pastors to be prepared in the pulpit. They know, for the most part, who's winging it and who has prepared. They expect the pastor to teach them about God's Word. In many ways the preaching event is sacred. The people want to hear from God and His Word. They expect the pastor to open the Bible and teach them what God says.
Read moreThe nation's two largest Christian communities, the Southern Baptist Convention and the Catholic Church continue to decline in numbers but so have many of the other Christian communities. Tragically, the fastest growing churches today are not actually Christian at all since they don't have the right Jesus and they include the Mormon Church and the Jehovah's Witnesses.(1) This is according to the latest studies which were compiled in 2009 and so the trend is likely even worse today.
Read moreBut we know from church history how, for the most part, the church has failed miserably in that calling.
And yet, here and there throughout history, real community has appeared. People have for a few brief hours, days, weeks, months and maybe even years experienced the beauty of true community--at least in part, imperfectly, but truly and sweetly nevertheless.
The current Discipleship Seminar - entitled Invest to Invite the Next Generation of Disciple Makers - taking place at the Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM), is for clergy and laity who have been selected to be pioneers as disciple makers. The group of about 30 includes is mostly from the ecumenical family within Malaysia, plus one delegate from Hong Kong.
Read moreAs a member of Redeemer, Ullman helped hunt for a new church building in the winter of 2012, and now Redeemer has bought the former Trinity Presbyterian Church in Brainerd for $270,000, according to Hamilton County records. The congregation is busy this month beautifying the building with some construction projects, and worship services are scheduled in September.
Read moreBut then there are the people. See if this poem rings true:
To dwell above
with those we love
Ah, that will be glory!
To dwell below
with those we know,
Now that’s a different story!*
Now, church is more than a body that engages its community. It should have certain biblical marks and should be focused on eternal purposes. However, it must also must take the faith it believes and live it out in context.
Church Should Impact the Community
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