Christianity or Judaism?

I am part of a Renovation group. It is a group of pastors from six different churches in the community who come to study how to get the Church on task with God's mission together as a single Church. The goal is to think through how do we give every man, woman and child the repeated opportunity to see, hear and respond to the Gospel in our area? We are working through Dwight Smith's material (click here for more info). I find the times together extremely refreshing and invigorating.

Last week we met and talked about how our churches tend to reflect Judaism. It seems that the church is the new temple, the pastor is the new priest, and Sunday is the new Sabbath. As someone said tongue-in-cheek: Luther came to liberate us from the priests and put us under the pastor! Wow, there is a lot of truth to that. Sounds like we may need Hebrews 2.0.

Then he went on regarding church leadership. Church leadership is not for the church. Rather, it is for the world. The leadership of a church is doing its job when the community/world are impacted. In addition, it is not what I do as a leader, but what I cause to be done through others.

There is so much to reflect on and pray about. This stuff has huge implications and needs to be thought through very well and wisely. Bottom line is to get myself and the church on mission with God.

Power of a Story

As a church, we are going through the Willow Creek series Just Walk Across the Room. Bill Hybels is a master at evangelism and the series has been very good for me.

This last Sunday, we were encouraged to prepare an account for the hope that is in us. I've often struggled/wondered what kind of testimony a guy who became a Christian at 5 or 6 would have. Yeah, I was saved from a life of addiction, prison and Rock n Roll......at the age of 6! While that may be funny, growing up in a Christian home is a privilege and God saves people from every background. My need of a Savior is just as bad as the "vilest offender." I am not saved based on my qualifications, but according to His mercy for me.

But it got me thinking: I am in the process of being saved, of becoming like Christ. What is Christ saving me from now? Oh my! The answer is quite clear and boy, do I ever have a testimony! So I need to get writing. My goal is to make it brief (200 words or less), simple, humble, and Christ centered.