… take a step back and look at itself.
… take a knee, repent and seek God.
… rise up and worship Him in spirit and in truth.
… take a step forward into the world.
The church should be bringing up young ministers! I was at the Texas Southern Baptist Convention yesterday. Including myself, I couldn’t find 10 people under the age of 30. It was funny, yet heartbreaking at the same time. Charles Billingsley started singing “Mighty to Save” and I think I was the only one singing. Where are all the young people? The next generation isn’t there. Where did we go off course? The church has to reach this godless generation!
*sigh* I’ll get off my soapbox.
Matt, I think that there are a lot of younger people doing amazing things and that are being the church and planting new churches and people are coming to know Christ… a lot of their methods are mocked or critisized by many older ministers which is what is so sad to me. Their ways of ministry are not welcomed. My husband went to a southern baptist seminary and there were NO classes at all for contemporary worship leaders. NONE! But I know this was not the topic we were supposed to be talking about.
Yes. Charles is my hero! Right under Jesus. I go to Southwestern Baptist Seminary right now. In their music program. There are young people here, but the sad statistic is that 65% or so are not in ministry positions 5 years after they graduate.(If they even do that) The staff are trying to be practical to today, but again, it’s 60+ year-olds teaching. I love their effort, but nothing’s changed.
That’s where we were. He didn’t finish. We went on to a position at a wonderful church and now we are at our first church plant. It made me so sad when they would not even think of accepting him into their music program b/c he did not have a college degree in music! He’s amazingly talented and has a HUGE heart for the lost!But that’s great that they are trying!
My dad got his degree in religious studies at Oakland City University [Baptist college] and had a preaching class and got a D in the class for not being a traditional pastor, yet he has the largest church in this whole area. Oh and might I add, his teacher has a church of about 30 and NOT growing.
where are the young people? Charles Billingsley leading isnt going to attract many young people.. and if you want to see where the young people are and their passion for Jesus, check out the Passion Conference, i was there, unbelievable,
Stop spending so much of our best energy, time, and resources shooting our own. Jesus prayed that we would be ONE, as He and the Father are one… so that the world would believe.
Matt, I think that there are a lot of younger people doing amazing things and that are being the church and planting new churches and people are coming to know Christ… a lot of their methods are mocked or critisized by many older ministers which is what is so sad to me. Their ways of ministry are not welcomed. My husband went to a southern baptist seminary and there were NO classes at all for contemporary worship leaders. NONE! But I know this was not the topic we were supposed to be talking about.
The church should… focus on OTHERS! Start being Jesus!
take care of the hurting. aim to see the captives set free and the hungry fed.
i think its a comfort thing. or least it is for me most of the time. if we truly get our hands dirty and follow Jesus without any reservations…we are not going to be comfortable. He didn’t ever say we would be comfortable. carrying a cross- to the world. to our cities. to our schools. to our families.
Stop looking like the pharisees and actually be the body of Christ.
@Matt
I went to the SBC about two years ago and I felt very intimidated by the lack of the presence of God. As a teen Im constantly looking for realness. Something tangible and true. My dad (a baptist minister) took me to see shane & shane that day, I dont think ive ever seen a more dead worship service with over 1,000 people in attendance. The church will never reach the next generation until they put down the masks.
I wouldn’t summarize the SBC as lacking God. I have experienced God’s presence in many SBC’s. There are a lot of churches that get it. The struggle is reaching the older generation while still truly reaching the younger. I’m at a loss at this point of how to REALLY do it. I guess it’s true you’ll never please everyone. Focus on your niche and be great at it.
For years, Matthew was the Gospel of the church. So maybe a bit of re-visit would help here. He focuses us on experiencing Immanuel, God with us in Jesus in 4 ways.
1. In Jesus’ life, teaching, & ministry (1:23)
2. Radical community (chap 18, esp. vs. 20)
3. Genuine compassion (chap 25, esp. vs. 40)
4. Cross-cultural discipling (28:18-20)
Not a bad list from the only Gospel that uses the word church. What I like is it’s about being and doing — the experience of Jesus in human life — and not just about studying & collecting data.
The church should stop being so passive and take back our nation for Christ. It’s time to start a TRUE revolution and forget about being comfortable. Statistics are showing that the church is failing at it’s mission in a depressingly epic way. In the past 20 years, the Muslim faith has grown by 1700% while Christianity is on the downfall. If that doesn’t piss you off, then you can’t say that Christ has truly changed your life…because you simply don’t care. Props to the people who are changing lives in the name of Christ! The rest of us need to step it up in a huge way!
Note also that this will go beyond words… take some time to study Acts as some have suggested here, or the epistles and discover that if we live like Christ calls us to live that we will absolutely face censure and persecution, and will likely cause the downfall of many things in this country that we find comfortable. For example, taking our shopping habits and standard of living before the throne may very well put us in contention with the idol makers of our day as it did Paul in Ephesus. What’s good for man and Christ’s kingdom will often not be good for business. How will Christians walk under that pressure? What if the decisions that are righteous initially lead to more unemployment rather than less? The cost of true transformation is often painful, and Christians must be willing to stay the course when things get rough, because if we truly live it out, things will get rough!
Not to mention, where’s the church that the Roman leaders were stunned at because they were not only taking care of their own needy (orphans, widows) but those of the Romans as well. We must lay our sense of entitlement on the altar! This world is NOT our home.
…find it’s value and identity in being the bride of Christ instead of methodology, numbers, style, and what high-profile ministers they are copying. :-/
Be the church that is known for: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!Gal.5:22-23
The church should unite. Stop the fighting over whether ‘missional’ ‘emergent’ ‘seeker-sensitive’ or whatever is the best “model” and start supporting each other, praying for ALL churches, and working together instead of thinking that one is the right way of doing church.
…stop looking at denominational walls and start looking thru them instead. Do the small things really have to separate us as much as they do? I’m not saying that you need to lose your identity as a Southern Baptist or Assembly of God or Christian Reformed person, but let’s start looking for ways to work together instead of competing against each other. In the end, I don’t think Jesus is going to say well done, you Christian Reformed good and faithful servant…
stop doing and start being.
stop preaching and start living.
stop talking and start hearing.
stop whining and start believing.
stop hyping and start seeing.
It’s not by might
Not by power
But by My spirit
Says the Lord…
RAIN IT DOWN
be the church.
… take a step back and look at itself.
… take a knee, repent and seek God.
… rise up and worship Him in spirit and in truth.
… take a step forward into the world.
The church should be bringing up young ministers! I was at the Texas Southern Baptist Convention yesterday. Including myself, I couldn’t find 10 people under the age of 30. It was funny, yet heartbreaking at the same time. Charles Billingsley started singing “Mighty to Save” and I think I was the only one singing. Where are all the young people? The next generation isn’t there. Where did we go off course? The church has to reach this godless generation!
*sigh* I’ll get off my soapbox.
HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! C-Biscuit… WOW… I actually used to work with him… Just to see his name on los’ blog makes me laugh…awesome…
Matt, I think that there are a lot of younger people doing amazing things and that are being the church and planting new churches and people are coming to know Christ… a lot of their methods are mocked or critisized by many older ministers which is what is so sad to me. Their ways of ministry are not welcomed. My husband went to a southern baptist seminary and there were NO classes at all for contemporary worship leaders. NONE! But I know this was not the topic we were supposed to be talking about.
And I will add I love Charles Billingsley!
Yes. Charles is my hero! Right under Jesus. I go to Southwestern Baptist Seminary right now. In their music program. There are young people here, but the sad statistic is that 65% or so are not in ministry positions 5 years after they graduate.(If they even do that) The staff are trying to be practical to today, but again, it’s 60+ year-olds teaching. I love their effort, but nothing’s changed.
That’s where we were. He didn’t finish. We went on to a position at a wonderful church and now we are at our first church plant. It made me so sad when they would not even think of accepting him into their music program b/c he did not have a college degree in music! He’s amazingly talented and has a HUGE heart for the lost!But that’s great that they are trying!
My dad got his degree in religious studies at Oakland City University [Baptist college] and had a preaching class and got a D in the class for not being a traditional pastor, yet he has the largest church in this whole area. Oh and might I add, his teacher has a church of about 30 and NOT growing.
where are the young people? Charles Billingsley leading isnt going to attract many young people.. and if you want to see where the young people are and their passion for Jesus, check out the Passion Conference, i was there, unbelievable,
stop being “the church” and start being Jesus
Stop spending so much of our best energy, time, and resources shooting our own. Jesus prayed that we would be ONE, as He and the Father are one… so that the world would believe.
Take a more organized and pro-acive approach to exploring new technologies!
.
Matt, I think that there are a lot of younger people doing amazing things and that are being the church and planting new churches and people are coming to know Christ… a lot of their methods are mocked or critisized by many older ministers which is what is so sad to me. Their ways of ministry are not welcomed. My husband went to a southern baptist seminary and there were NO classes at all for contemporary worship leaders. NONE! But I know this was not the topic we were supposed to be talking about.
The church should… focus on OTHERS! Start being Jesus!
Stop spending so much of it’s time, money and effort on itself.
Particularly the Sunday Show.
… be Spirit filled and Spirit led.
… love.
… welcome those who think differently.
… be open.
… and corporately, “lower case” the “c” in church.
take care of the hurting. aim to see the captives set free and the hungry fed.
i think its a comfort thing. or least it is for me most of the time. if we truly get our hands dirty and follow Jesus without any reservations…we are not going to be comfortable. He didn’t ever say we would be comfortable. carrying a cross- to the world. to our cities. to our schools. to our families.
AMEN!
Stop looking like the pharisees and actually be the body of Christ.
@Matt
I went to the SBC about two years ago and I felt very intimidated by the lack of the presence of God. As a teen Im constantly looking for realness. Something tangible and true. My dad (a baptist minister) took me to see shane & shane that day, I dont think ive ever seen a more dead worship service with over 1,000 people in attendance. The church will never reach the next generation until they put down the masks.
I wouldn’t summarize the SBC as lacking God. I have experienced God’s presence in many SBC’s. There are a lot of churches that get it. The struggle is reaching the older generation while still truly reaching the younger. I’m at a loss at this point of how to REALLY do it. I guess it’s true you’ll never please everyone. Focus on your niche and be great at it.
I agree. Andrew Peterson says it best:
“It feels like the church isn’t anything more than the second coming of the Pharisees.
Scrubbing each other til their tombs are white, they chisel epitaphs of piety…”
Exhale.
for real!
Seek Jesus’ face
…be more like The Highlander. You know – there can be only One.
. . . actively seek out and invite, with compassion, the hurting, addicted, and all around lost into her midst.
For years, Matthew was the Gospel of the church. So maybe a bit of re-visit would help here. He focuses us on experiencing Immanuel, God with us in Jesus in 4 ways.
1. In Jesus’ life, teaching, & ministry (1:23)
2. Radical community (chap 18, esp. vs. 20)
3. Genuine compassion (chap 25, esp. vs. 40)
4. Cross-cultural discipling (28:18-20)
Not a bad list from the only Gospel that uses the word church. What I like is it’s about being and doing — the experience of Jesus in human life — and not just about studying & collecting data.
in short, getting back to the basics of who the church is intended to be… it begins and ends with Christ!
have more potlucks
SERVICE to the children of our maker and WORSHIP to our maker….
If Los would let us use BIGGER FONT I would …..
…stop faffing
stop be a bunch of seat warmer
get involved and make an assertive difference; individually and as a whole
…stop complaining and do something.
Amen! A million times over! Amen!
…be His vessel and let Him lead. That’s when miracles happen.
love.
read Acts.
again, for real!
The church should stop being so passive and take back our nation for Christ. It’s time to start a TRUE revolution and forget about being comfortable. Statistics are showing that the church is failing at it’s mission in a depressingly epic way. In the past 20 years, the Muslim faith has grown by 1700% while Christianity is on the downfall. If that doesn’t piss you off, then you can’t say that Christ has truly changed your life…because you simply don’t care. Props to the people who are changing lives in the name of Christ! The rest of us need to step it up in a huge way!
Note also that this will go beyond words… take some time to study Acts as some have suggested here, or the epistles and discover that if we live like Christ calls us to live that we will absolutely face censure and persecution, and will likely cause the downfall of many things in this country that we find comfortable. For example, taking our shopping habits and standard of living before the throne may very well put us in contention with the idol makers of our day as it did Paul in Ephesus. What’s good for man and Christ’s kingdom will often not be good for business. How will Christians walk under that pressure? What if the decisions that are righteous initially lead to more unemployment rather than less? The cost of true transformation is often painful, and Christians must be willing to stay the course when things get rough, because if we truly live it out, things will get rough!
Not to mention, where’s the church that the Roman leaders were stunned at because they were not only taking care of their own needy (orphans, widows) but those of the Romans as well. We must lay our sense of entitlement on the altar! This world is NOT our home.
Have the best presentation for the best message ever, the Gospel.
…find it’s value and identity in being the bride of Christ instead of methodology, numbers, style, and what high-profile ministers they are copying. :-/
Be the church that is known for: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!Gal.5:22-23
The church should unite. Stop the fighting over whether ‘missional’ ‘emergent’ ‘seeker-sensitive’ or whatever is the best “model” and start supporting each other, praying for ALL churches, and working together instead of thinking that one is the right way of doing church.
The church needs to be the hands and feet of Jesus, period.
…be a place sinners(all of us) come together to learn, love, and grow.
feel like a party
walk outside
knock down its walls.
get over itself
Start “beeing” and stop “doing.”
Give everyone (and I mean everyone) a voice.
serve free coffee and donuts ALWAYS. =]
…stop looking at denominational walls and start looking thru them instead. Do the small things really have to separate us as much as they do? I’m not saying that you need to lose your identity as a Southern Baptist or Assembly of God or Christian Reformed person, but let’s start looking for ways to work together instead of competing against each other. In the end, I don’t think Jesus is going to say well done, you Christian Reformed good and faithful servant…
Stop judging people who don’t seek God through it. There is more than one path.
…check out what God is doing in Haiti, as reported on http://www.sethbarnes.com
stop doing and start being.
stop preaching and start living.
stop talking and start hearing.
stop whining and start believing.
stop hyping and start seeing.
It’s not by might
Not by power
But by My spirit
Says the Lord…
Be what God has called them to be locally, not what He has called the church down the street, or in Orange County, or Seattle, Or Atlanta to be.
be far less organized
love and respond accordingly.
have a true community with imperfect harmony
show and tell.