Shift from Denominations to Networks

14 July, 2010

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If you were to ask me about denominations, I’d have to tell you that I think they are a dying breed.  Don’t get me wrong, there is still plenty of denominationalism among the Church, but as time progresses the divide is lessening (or so it seems).

The new generation of leaders are no longer concerned with your background.  I come into contact with people who claim to be Baptists, Lutherans, Methodists, etc, and we can see eye-to-eye on so many levels.  I first started to realize this while listening to Catholic radio in Cincinnati.  Even though we are not even close on some practices and beliefs, our overall mission is identical.

With the state of our society’s faith, I think Christ-followers are realizing that separation is damaging not only to the Church, but the perception of the Church.  This realization is helping Christians to re-unite.

Our community needs Jesus.  Our country needs Jesus.  Our world needs Jesus.  And if we really want to make a global impact, then we can no longer be divided because one person wants to sprinkle and another wants to immerse.  This is a valid argument, but not one that should cause denominational division.

So which direction is the Church moving?  I think we have seen a huge increase in church-planting over the last decade, so much that networks are being developed (Acts 2:42, NewThing, and The Acts 29 to name a few).  These networks are trying to work together to start new churches around the world because we are discovering that new churches are the best way to spread the Gospel.

The future will see less and less concern about denominations and doctrines, but focus on which network you are a part of and what is being done to tell people about Jesus.  After all, this is more important.

Education vs. Obedience

30 April, 2010

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These are two words that I have been thinking a lot about recently.  I’m specifically thinking about how they can govern our relationships with one another.

Too often we are about education.  Isn’t that what Western culture is built around?  We believe that if you have an education that your life will be quantitatively better.  True or not, education is a good thing.  But I think that we are so ingrained with wanting to learn and teach that it becomes a priority in our Christian walk.

Think about your typical week as a Christian.  You come one Sunday to sing some songs of praise, take communion, and listen to a sermon.  This is a good thing.  Hebrews 10: 25 says, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Maybe you go to a Bible study to learn some more.  It may be a steep assumption to think that we join a small group to continue to learn, but I think it’s accurate.  This is all build around education/learning about what the Bible says.

I wonder what would happen if we spent less time trying to educate one another about what Jesus, and started spending more time on encouraging one another to be obedient to what Jesus said.  Isn’t that what Jesus wanted anyways?

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore 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. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

He doesn’t just say, “teaching them everything I have commanded you,” He says, “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”  This is why it is so important to be living life with one another.

I’m not suggesting that we give up learning.  How else are we supposed to know what Jesus wants from our lives?  What I’m suggesting is that as we come together as Christ-followers (whether on the golf course, over dinner, or in a small group), we should encourage one another how to live for Jesus.

If our relationships are built around educating and learning, there is a good chance that we will have our wheels spinning without going anywhere.  If our relationships are built around staying true to Jesus’ teachings, the world could be a better place.

Come Together

7 March, 2010

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Each weekend we come together and participate in things that have a grand purpose.  While drinking coffee, we are building community with other Christ-followers.  While singing, we lift praises to the Lord of all creation.  While taking communion, we remember how much God loves us.  While listening to the sermon, we are learning how God’s Word applies to our life.  How awesome is it that we have the ability to do these things with other believers every week?  God bless.

Unity in the Church

18 January, 2010

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“For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere men?  What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task.”

-Paul (1 Corinthians 3:4-5)

Looking at this verse, I cannot help but think of the present state of the Church.  Particularly the denominational division that exists.  Close to Crossroads I know of Presbyterians, Lutherans, Catholics, and Baptists who all meet in their own building and do their own programs.  At some point in history there was some disagreement (usually theological in nature) that caused a separation.  Generations pass, and the divide still exists.

Where is the unity that Jesus prayed for?

Are we so caught up in thinking we are right that we fail to remember this prayer?

Although I strongly believe that we are coming to an age where Christ-followers unite to help change the world, we are still in a state of division.  Sure, people have a preference in preaching styles, music choices, and rituals, but that does not mean we cannot work together.  There is a hurting world out there that needs to be loved, and who better than the Church to share the love that God has.

I don’t think we need to all be together on Sunday morning, that would require one massive building.  What I’m saying is that if we really want to impact the community, there must be some change.

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

-Jesus (John 17:20-23)

Why Does the Church Exist?

11 January, 2010

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Why does the Church exist?

Before I get too far into this discussion, we need to define what the Church is.  You can see a previous blog on church vs. Church to read how the word should be used.  In paraphrase, Church is the global network of Christians who believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  With that being said, what is it’s purpose?

Matthew 19-20 explains that we are to make disciples of Jesus all over the world.  If this idea is not further developed, however, someone could use brutal force to make Christ-followers.  But anyone who has studied the scriptures knows that this is just not the case.

So the church is to share the message of Salvation that can only be found in Jesus.  And it is by God’s grace, through our faith that we are saved.  See Ephesians 2:8.  Our faith would mean nothing without God’s grace.

So back to our original question, “why does the church exist?”  It’s not a social club.  It’s not a place where only the clean dressed can come.  It’s an agent of God’s grace.  So as the Church, we need to show grace to people in order to spread the Gospel.

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