scatter
Went to Bible study this morning. It was great. Two quotes I want to remember.
The first: "Impression without expression equals depression."
Translation: If you learn something (if something is impressed upon you) and it does not result in a change in your life (expression)...well, that's just sad (depression). In other words, let the Word of God change you.
The second quote from my pastor (who lead the study), he said when he was talking about the function of the church:
"We meet for education. We scatter for evangelism."
I totally agree with him. And the church (the universal church, click here for a pretty good explanation of the church) needs to hear that these days. So many churches are becoming "seeker sensitive". Sure, it's good to reach out to people who want to come to church and who may be scared off by the traditional church atmosphere. But many churches do this and thus sacrifice the purpose of the church. The understanding of the purpose of the church is being lost as a consequence.
People think that the church building and church services are supposed to be the places of evangelism. This misunderstanding is what has caused the sermons of many a pulpit across America (and the world) to become watered down. Christians and others attending the services are receiving milk instead of solid food. This milk is directed at those who either don't know Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, or they have just come to salvation. This is good for new believers. But this should not be done in the main church service. Otherwise how are people going to grow?
We are told many times in Scripture to grow and mature in our faith. Hebrews 6:1 tells us this: "Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and press on to maturity..." (cf. 2 Peter 3:18, Eph. 4:15, 2 Tim. 3:14-17, Col. 2:6-7, et al.)
I have heard complaints about para-church groups, and how they are having to do the work of the church because the church is not doing its job (see this blog, 4th paragraph down starting with "He missed the boat"). What this seems to me is that the people who say things like this have a fundemental misunderstanding of the definition of "The Church".
"The Church" is not a building that Christians meet in. If that was the case the church I go to now wouldn't be a church 'cause we meet in a gym (would we be a gym?). The Church is the people who meet in that building. But it is more than that. I like the phrase "The Universal Church." This helps to clarify that "The Church" is universal. All Believers, everywhere make up "The Church". With this understanding, there is no such thing as a "para-church" organization. Because these so-called para-church organizations are made up of Christians. And Christians ARE part of the church.
Para-church organizations are great! THEY are where evangelism is supposed to take place. They are where we can scatter to (for evangelism) after we meet on Sundays (or whatever day) for education.
The first: "Impression without expression equals depression."
Translation: If you learn something (if something is impressed upon you) and it does not result in a change in your life (expression)...well, that's just sad (depression). In other words, let the Word of God change you.
The second quote from my pastor (who lead the study), he said when he was talking about the function of the church:
"We meet for education. We scatter for evangelism."
I totally agree with him. And the church (the universal church, click here for a pretty good explanation of the church) needs to hear that these days. So many churches are becoming "seeker sensitive". Sure, it's good to reach out to people who want to come to church and who may be scared off by the traditional church atmosphere. But many churches do this and thus sacrifice the purpose of the church. The understanding of the purpose of the church is being lost as a consequence.
People think that the church building and church services are supposed to be the places of evangelism. This misunderstanding is what has caused the sermons of many a pulpit across America (and the world) to become watered down. Christians and others attending the services are receiving milk instead of solid food. This milk is directed at those who either don't know Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, or they have just come to salvation. This is good for new believers. But this should not be done in the main church service. Otherwise how are people going to grow?
We are told many times in Scripture to grow and mature in our faith. Hebrews 6:1 tells us this: "Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and press on to maturity..." (cf. 2 Peter 3:18, Eph. 4:15, 2 Tim. 3:14-17, Col. 2:6-7, et al.)
I have heard complaints about para-church groups, and how they are having to do the work of the church because the church is not doing its job (see this blog, 4th paragraph down starting with "He missed the boat"). What this seems to me is that the people who say things like this have a fundemental misunderstanding of the definition of "The Church".
"The Church" is not a building that Christians meet in. If that was the case the church I go to now wouldn't be a church 'cause we meet in a gym (would we be a gym?). The Church is the people who meet in that building. But it is more than that. I like the phrase "The Universal Church." This helps to clarify that "The Church" is universal. All Believers, everywhere make up "The Church". With this understanding, there is no such thing as a "para-church" organization. Because these so-called para-church organizations are made up of Christians. And Christians ARE part of the church.
Para-church organizations are great! THEY are where evangelism is supposed to take place. They are where we can scatter to (for evangelism) after we meet on Sundays (or whatever day) for education.
Labels: evangelism, OEFC, quotes
posted by Elias at 17:49
1 Comments:
Thank you! This has been a debate (the para-church organization thing) at the church I was a part of this past year, in southern Cal. It has really hurt many friends of mine who serve in "para-church" organizations. There is another side of that debate, however. But that is for another time
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