Someone said "It is amazing how much you can accomplish when it doesn't matter who gets the credit. It seems to me the church should epitomize that attitude. Instead we insist on honoring the reverends as well as reverends in training as we will to night in our Christmas party. We're even going to honor the janitor. Amazing.
Concerning the question about what a 38 year old Christian man would do on this day or any given day during AD 56? And what would he do to fill his day on the first day of the week? I'm not sure he would have done anything differently than we do today. Then it would have been easier for a pagan and a Christian to recognize each other. Today, Pagans, Methodists, Presbyterians, Baptists, Latter Day Saints, etc pretty much look alike. According to our definition of Christians they are all pagans and difficult to identify.
Billy Graham had the right idea though he probably thought all those politicians cared what he thought. Remember all those pictures in the paper with the caption identifying Graham as the "spiritual advisor?" Politicians used him to convince the voters they were Christian. Obama tried that with Rick Warren but he did not take as well as Billy Graham.
I am convinced if we can ever accept that Sunday is not worship and that the purpose of assembling is to encourage each other to love and good works we just might leave the service and go about doing good works. As it is most leave the service feeling tired, bewildered, frustrated, and wondering why they were there. But for the church to admit that would put most preachers out of work and that will not happen in our life time.
And no, until we recognize there is a problem we have no reason to correct anything. Alcoholics, drug addicts and pedophiles can attest to that. As a child I sat close to the TV to watch it and I could not read what the teacher wrote on the blackboard. I played second base and would miss ground balls hit directly at me. I lost it around the pitcher's mound. One day the coach told me that when I had the requisite physical I should have my eyes examined. I believe he was being sarcastic. I did and I have worn glasses ever since. My parents did not associate my actions with the inability to see and neither did I. Congregations do not associate the lack of growth with the lack of leadership. When you read what God did to "equip the body" you can easily see that GSMCOC as well as the average congregation have no one equipping them. To say that in a meeting will start an argument and bring forth much denying especially by . . .
Did that answer what you were asking?
Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179 cell
Gatlinburg, TN
Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/
If it's true that we are here to help others, then what exactly are the others here for?
Some good thoughts that are disturbing. I think we have tried to get this point across with the men before and you told me it won't happen til some one or three people want it to happen. Thanks for not giving up. However, can I refer to this "email that I received" in the men's meeting? I'm not sure this week would be the right time though.
Before I respond, I want you to consider a question I was going to pose to you before I ever opened the computer this morning.
What would a 38 year old Christian man do on this day or any given day during AD 56? And what would he do to fill his day on the first day of the week?
If we don't think we are sick will we go to the doctor or take some measure to help us get over what ever causes us to be sick?
Jesus, Peter and Paul stated their own mission,with purpose, knowing that they were the exmple at that time. Group activities are not addressed here.If group activities are what we are supposed to be about, they must be organized and led by dedicated, competent, rightly passionate, Godly and humble Christiian people who understand and seek to follow the great commandment. It starts with me, the individual or you the individual. And we must function as part of the body and not as the whole body.
I do not recall scripture identifying as leaders or great teachers those who sought recognition or "credit" for any worthwhile service or those who didn't consider sacrifice for His cause an honor. I suspect ther are some great leaders who were never menntioned in scripture but have their name etched in the "book of life".
RAY----- Original Message -----From: John JenkinsTo: Ray SlateSent: Friday, December 04, 2009 4:32 PMSubject: Strategy, Target, PurposeIn case you need some help sleeping, you can read this.Developing Our StrategyWho is Our Target?
No congregation can reach everyone. A radio station cannot appeal to everyone's taste in music. A station that alternated its format between classical, heavy metal, country, rap, reggae, and southern gospel would alienate everyone. No one would listen to that station.
Jesus had a target: "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Matthew 15:24
Paul had a target and Peter had a target: "On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised…" Galatians 2:7
A missionary must understand the culture of the people he intends to evangelize. Imagine a photographer shooting pictures without taking time to focus? What hunter would stand on the top of a hill and shoot randomly into the valley without taking aim at something?
Without a target, our efforts may be just wishful thinking.
Developing a Clear Target
Who can we reach?
The New Testament shows the Gospel spread through relationships. Andrew told his brother, Peter; Philip contacted Nathaniel; Matthew held a dinner party for other Tax Collectors; the woman told everyone in her village.
What kinds of people already attend? We'll reach those to whom we relate. We'll attract who we are, not who we want.
A successful fisherman is able to "read" the lake, or stream, or river, etc and figure out where fish are; he knows the time of day they like to eat; he knows the bait or lure to use depending on the type of fish; he knows when to change bait as temperature changes; he knows how deep to drop the line into the water; he knows when to move to a new location. He catches fish on their terms.
If we are to reach people we need to:
· Know what we are fishing for;
· Go where the fish are biting;
· Learn to think like a fish;
· Catch fish on their terms;
· Understand and adapt to their culture;
The longer you are a believer, the less you think like an unbeliever.
Our Biblical Purpose
A clear target only develops when we have three things in place.
1. We know our Biblical purpose;
2. We define whom in our community we are best equipped to reach;
3. We decide a strategy to reach those individuals.
It's going to take some time to come up with some clear answers to #2 and #3 but how about the Great Commandment and the Great Commission as an easily stated purpose that is Biblical and unique to us.
Great Commandment:
Matthew 22:37-40
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."
Great Commission:
Matthew 28:19-20
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Planning with Purpose
Few churches are planning with purpose and precision. Most are devoted to simply maintaining existing programs and serving the present membership. Challenge and change are not in their vocabulary.
We must rise above mediocrity to excellence. Comfortable pews seldom stay filled. Every church must set long-range and short-range goals. In charting the future we must ask:
1. What do we want to accomplish? (A statement of purpose)
2. When do we want to accomplish it? (Long-range and short-range goals)
3. How do we want to accomplish our goals (Workable plans to achieve our goals)
4. Who will lead? (This involves assignment, responsibility and accountability)
5. How much will it cost? (This should only be asked after everything else has been considered)
Our Goals Must Become Our Eyes by which we see the Future
Dreams die first – then churches.
Why Strategic Planning is Important in Evangelism
Unless there is planning and strategy nothing happens. Think about the new Christians in your congregation. How did they come to Christ? Congregations should develop strategic plans.
Strategic planning helps us toward our goal, helps us devise means and develop grids to measure effectiveness.
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