In twenty-six years of ministry I have only come across a handful of persons willing to react negatively toward the ideals for which Jesus Christ stood.The fact is, most people like the teachings of Jesus, they just do not care for the medium of communication—the
church!One of unique characteristics that equipped Jesus to be so effective in His early ministry was the ability He demonstrated to stay focused on the purpose of His calling.
His love was genuine even when challenged!And His message clear, he had come to reclaim and extend the reign of the Father’s kingdom on earth.His ministry vividly demonstrates the will of the Father and the reign of His kingdom as a present reality.His approach to ministry though unorthodox to the contemporary religious leaders of His time, touched and changed lives from every walk of life.Undeterred, He selected twelve, unusually qualified men from various occupations and differing personalities and entrusted them with the responsibility of taking His message to the world. Their charge was to make disciples of every nation.
Two-thousand years have now gone by and the world is experiencing the greatest revival it has ever seen.Unfortunately, the American church is experiencing the end of its fourth decade of declining church growth.Though there are a number of reasons for this, perhaps none is more important than the church’s need to rediscover its purpose and mission.
Jesus has set before us the challenge of becoming fishers of men.I’ve learned that if we want to catch fish, then we must go to where we find fish.If we want to catch people we must go to the places where we find people.They matter to God and they should matter to us!
I believe that the church of today’s generations is facing monumental challenges and change. One of the challenges lies in communicating the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.To do this we must first be able to penetrate the cultural diversity of the American landscape through the building of relationships.People matter to God!They should matter to us—the Christian Church!
Some would have us believe that we need a new country, but I would suggest that what we need is a better understanding of the new and rapidly evolving America.America is the third largest, fastest growing and most culturally diverse mission field in the world.
Others would have us believe that we need to change the content of our “gospel message,” but I would advocate that the “message” need not change; rather we look for new ways and methodologies to “Tell the Story.”
What the church needs is not a re-imagined idea of who God is, but new expressions of the one, common shared belief system based on a biblical orthodox view of God; not a new Christ, but new kinds of Christians equipped and empowered to be the church in their culture and generation; not a new Holy Spirit, but an expectation of renewed manifestations and demonstrations of the Holy Spirit’s power in the church; not a new church, but diverse styles, expressions and methodologies built on this one common belief system that is empowered to find its expression in the Church of every age, generation and culture.
God is looking for someone like you! Someone with your unique personality, gift mix and life experience (good, bad and ugly) to further use in the advancement of His kingdom. Are you ready?
