Here are some great quotes about the Gospel
"If you believe what you like in the gospel, and reject what you don't like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself." (Augustine)
"The whole gospel is contained in Christ." (John Calvin)
"Whenever the gospel is preached it is as if God himself came into the midst of us." (John Calvin)
"There is nothing attractive about the gospel to the natural man; the only man who finds the gospel attractive is the man who is convicted of sin." (Oswald Chambers)
"A gospel that elevates man and dethrones God is not the gospel." (Will Metzger)
"The world has many religions; it has but one gospel." (George Owen)
"The man who does not glory in the gospel can surely know little of the plague of sin that is within him. (J.C. Ryle)
"The revelation of the gospel is to a world that is already under indictment for its universal rejection of God the Father." (R.C. Sproul)
"If the Lord's bearing our sin for us is not the gospel, I have no gospel to preach." (C.H. Spurgeon)
"The heart of the gospel is redemption, and the essence of redemption is the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ." (C.H. Spurgeon)
"When we preach Christ crucified, we have no reason to stammer, or stutter, or hesitate, or apologize; there is nothing in the gospel of which we have any cause to be ashamed." (C.H. Spurgeon)
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Death by Ministry
Mark Driscoll's blog is one of my favorite reads. Anyone in ministry or married to someone in ministry should read it.
http://www.theresurgence.com./mdblog_2006-05-24_death_by_ministry
http://www.theresurgence.com./mdblog_2006-05-24_death_by_ministry
Lost Finale
Well, it was okay. I liked it but it didn't have the terror of last seasons finale. I love the show though and am committed to be here in the fall. What will I watch this summer though?
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Article and Envrroments
http://pf.fastcompany.com/magazine/84/starbucks_schultz.html
You should read the above article. It is an interview with the Starbucks global strategic officer.
He talks about Starbucks being the "third place". Fascinating concept.
We are talking alot around our staff on creating enviroments. We really want to move our church toward a strategy of creating relevant ministry enviroments. Now i know that is what North Point says and does but that doesn't mean they own that. Over the past two weeks I have had my staff listen to a great CD called, "The Breakthrough Principle of Irrestibility" by Jeff Henderson. Jeff is the campus pastor of Buckhead Church, which is a campus of North Point. You can order the CD from www.268generation.com, it is from the "Thirsty" conference they just put on.
We then went to Ikea, Memorial City Mall (coolest mall in Houston), Eatsi's (one of the coolest resturants in Houston) and talked about what makes these enviroments inrresistible.
Yesterday we watched a talk Andy Stanley gave at the C3 conference in 2004 at Fellowship Church. His whole talk was on creating relevant enviroments. It was amazing! We are going to show that at our leadership retreat in August.
I am so excited about the clarity that our staff and church is getting about our mission to make growing followers of Jesus and now the clarity on how we are going to do it.
out.
You should read the above article. It is an interview with the Starbucks global strategic officer.
He talks about Starbucks being the "third place". Fascinating concept.
We are talking alot around our staff on creating enviroments. We really want to move our church toward a strategy of creating relevant ministry enviroments. Now i know that is what North Point says and does but that doesn't mean they own that. Over the past two weeks I have had my staff listen to a great CD called, "The Breakthrough Principle of Irrestibility" by Jeff Henderson. Jeff is the campus pastor of Buckhead Church, which is a campus of North Point. You can order the CD from www.268generation.com, it is from the "Thirsty" conference they just put on.
We then went to Ikea, Memorial City Mall (coolest mall in Houston), Eatsi's (one of the coolest resturants in Houston) and talked about what makes these enviroments inrresistible.
Yesterday we watched a talk Andy Stanley gave at the C3 conference in 2004 at Fellowship Church. His whole talk was on creating relevant enviroments. It was amazing! We are going to show that at our leadership retreat in August.
I am so excited about the clarity that our staff and church is getting about our mission to make growing followers of Jesus and now the clarity on how we are going to do it.
out.
Crossbridge today
Well we made it!
We went to two services on April 2nd. We have since added 100 people!
We're moving into the summer now and we are concerned that we will loose some momentum. We are looking at making our Community Groups stronger. I'll post stuff on that I hope.
I'm so excited about the new series I'm doing called "Nametag". It's a series on the names of God. I start it in two weeks. I may even write a book and self-publish it but that will be in the Lord's hands.
It's good to be back.
out.
We went to two services on April 2nd. We have since added 100 people!
We're moving into the summer now and we are concerned that we will loose some momentum. We are looking at making our Community Groups stronger. I'll post stuff on that I hope.
I'm so excited about the new series I'm doing called "Nametag". It's a series on the names of God. I start it in two weeks. I may even write a book and self-publish it but that will be in the Lord's hands.
It's good to be back.
out.
Lost Season Finale Tonight!
This is it sports fans! I am so stoked. We're going to put the kids down early pop the popcorn, make some slice n'bake and chill the milk. I love this show! I am a JJ Abrams fan!
See-ya
See-ya
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Well, we haven't died yet.
Hi,
We announced the move to 2 services this Sunday. To be honest I can't tell how people feel about it. I am seeing more and more the bad health in our church. i am seeing that people's first response is self-protection and skeptism.
I wrote a FAQ booklet for people. One of the questions I answered was "Is this God's will?" The answer I wrote there and here is "I don't know". Nelson Searcey on his CD of breaking the 250 growth barrier says that Pastors should believe it is God's will for our church to grow. I struggle. I struggle with not wanting the church to grow and to see more and more lives transformed by the Gospel. To see more men and women and children cross the line of faith and be baptized. I don't struggle with wanting to see more followers of Jesus be made and those followers getting stronger and stronger in the faith.
I struggle because the only thing I am sure about that is "God's will" is what is written in the Bible. I have been looking for the chapters and verses about how to pastor a growing church and I can't find it.
Is is God's will for Crossbridge to go to two services? I don't know. I do know that we are to serve the Gospel. That we have been entrusted with the Gospel and that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation.
I don't know how this is all going to work out but I want to hide in the text, preach Jesus like a mad man, love people, and reach out to my community. I think that is God's will.
Where are the pastors who are God-Centered and Gospel-Driven that talk realistically about church growth. Who can mentor the young pastors in these transitions without giving me the cup of church growth watered down kool-aid that everybody else is drinking from?
I am rambling.
This is hard. This is exhilerating.
Church Planting.....I need a stiff drink.
Later
We announced the move to 2 services this Sunday. To be honest I can't tell how people feel about it. I am seeing more and more the bad health in our church. i am seeing that people's first response is self-protection and skeptism.
I wrote a FAQ booklet for people. One of the questions I answered was "Is this God's will?" The answer I wrote there and here is "I don't know". Nelson Searcey on his CD of breaking the 250 growth barrier says that Pastors should believe it is God's will for our church to grow. I struggle. I struggle with not wanting the church to grow and to see more and more lives transformed by the Gospel. To see more men and women and children cross the line of faith and be baptized. I don't struggle with wanting to see more followers of Jesus be made and those followers getting stronger and stronger in the faith.
I struggle because the only thing I am sure about that is "God's will" is what is written in the Bible. I have been looking for the chapters and verses about how to pastor a growing church and I can't find it.
Is is God's will for Crossbridge to go to two services? I don't know. I do know that we are to serve the Gospel. That we have been entrusted with the Gospel and that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation.
I don't know how this is all going to work out but I want to hide in the text, preach Jesus like a mad man, love people, and reach out to my community. I think that is God's will.
Where are the pastors who are God-Centered and Gospel-Driven that talk realistically about church growth. Who can mentor the young pastors in these transitions without giving me the cup of church growth watered down kool-aid that everybody else is drinking from?
I am rambling.
This is hard. This is exhilerating.
Church Planting.....I need a stiff drink.
Later
Thursday, March 02, 2006
2 Services: Let's Pray We Don't Die
Hi,
I have not been writing. I have been trying to figure out the benefit of blogging and I think I am starting to get it.
Anyway after 3 1/2 years and now right around 300 people we are moving to 2 worship services on Sunday April 2nd. We have told a few of our leaders and the rest today and then the whole church this sunday. I also turn 35 this Sunday.
We just hired a dude to direct all the ministries and make this transition happen. He is awesome. Yesterday we sat down with his colorcoded timeline and walked through where we are at and what needs to be done. Wow! At the bottom of the timeline is our little staff slogan for this move, "Let's pray we don't die".
What we mean by that of course is that the church just sits there and says big deal we are not serving. We mean we hope we don't kill ourselves with all this hard work that will be happening over the next month.
As I am studying for my message Sunday I am beginning to see that there are in some ways I hope God doesn't answer that prayer. I am preaching through Colossians right now and will be in Colossians 1:21-2:6 this Sunday. In this passage Paul is sharing his heart and his commission to be a "servant of the Gospel". He writes about how he "struggled, and labored" in his ministry.
Ministry is work. Ministry is hard. In what ways do I hope God doesn't answer that prayer?
I hope God let's us die to consumerism and captures our heart with the attitude of being a "servant of the Gospel".
I hope God let's us die to our addiction to convience and gives us the power to live sacrifically to serve others.
I hope God let's us die to an inclusive atmosphere and gives us the power to reach out to people who are lost and needing to encounter the heart of the Father.
I hope God let's us die to a sacricity mindset. This mindset keeps us from stepping out on faith and saying God will provide the time, people, resources and rest for our souls as we seek to obey Him in kingdom ministry. May He empower us to have a kingdom mindset.
Bottom line - I hope God let's us die to sin. That we would put to death the things that keep us from loving God and loving people.
2 services for me isn't about becoming the biggest, baddest church in the area. It's about seeing lives transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For Crossbridge to become that kind of Gospel-Driven Church then some dying has to occur.
Let's pray we don't die.
Let' pray we do die to things that displease the heart of God.
I have not been writing. I have been trying to figure out the benefit of blogging and I think I am starting to get it.
Anyway after 3 1/2 years and now right around 300 people we are moving to 2 worship services on Sunday April 2nd. We have told a few of our leaders and the rest today and then the whole church this sunday. I also turn 35 this Sunday.
We just hired a dude to direct all the ministries and make this transition happen. He is awesome. Yesterday we sat down with his colorcoded timeline and walked through where we are at and what needs to be done. Wow! At the bottom of the timeline is our little staff slogan for this move, "Let's pray we don't die".
What we mean by that of course is that the church just sits there and says big deal we are not serving. We mean we hope we don't kill ourselves with all this hard work that will be happening over the next month.
As I am studying for my message Sunday I am beginning to see that there are in some ways I hope God doesn't answer that prayer. I am preaching through Colossians right now and will be in Colossians 1:21-2:6 this Sunday. In this passage Paul is sharing his heart and his commission to be a "servant of the Gospel". He writes about how he "struggled, and labored" in his ministry.
Ministry is work. Ministry is hard. In what ways do I hope God doesn't answer that prayer?
I hope God let's us die to consumerism and captures our heart with the attitude of being a "servant of the Gospel".
I hope God let's us die to our addiction to convience and gives us the power to live sacrifically to serve others.
I hope God let's us die to an inclusive atmosphere and gives us the power to reach out to people who are lost and needing to encounter the heart of the Father.
I hope God let's us die to a sacricity mindset. This mindset keeps us from stepping out on faith and saying God will provide the time, people, resources and rest for our souls as we seek to obey Him in kingdom ministry. May He empower us to have a kingdom mindset.
Bottom line - I hope God let's us die to sin. That we would put to death the things that keep us from loving God and loving people.
2 services for me isn't about becoming the biggest, baddest church in the area. It's about seeing lives transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For Crossbridge to become that kind of Gospel-Driven Church then some dying has to occur.
Let's pray we don't die.
Let' pray we do die to things that displease the heart of God.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
What's on your bookshelf
My confession today: I want to read books that help me know Jesus better and grow as a leader.
Now the last part of the confession is easy to talk about. You go to any of the cool blogs out there (that I soon will provide links too) and they are talking about all the cool leadership books. Books that I want to and have read.
I want to confess though that a steady diet of Tipping Points, Good to Great, and Purple Cows doesn't make me love Jesus more.
Why is it that books about God aren't on the more innovative churches top reading list?
I am reading "The Nature of God" by AW Pink right now. No, he doesn't pastor a megachurch or have an emergent church with candles. He was born in 1886 and died in 1952. He uses the KJV in his writings and he writes thick words about a majestic God. He doesn't cite any movies or quote the hottest songs or use the newest lingo but he does write brief chapters about our Creator. It is an incredible book. When was the last time you read a book that made you think God was huge? When was the last time you read a book to meet Jesus in and not to get sermon ideas or good illustrations or to grow your church. I have done all that and it isn't necessarily bad, it just makes my soul small and sick if i do it for long periods of time. So maybe i have issues.
Why is it that people are raving about Brian McLaren's books but nobody seems to stop and ask, is he right? I like some of the stuff he says but overall I have serious concerns but others have said that better than me (www.reformission.com and listen to Gerry Breshears do an excellent job talking about his work). Have you read "God is the Gospel" by John Piper yet? What a great book to remind us that are we preaching the good news that people can know through Jesus the most exciting person in the universe? Or are we studying culture so much we are forgetting to study God.
I don't want to get lumped in with those guys that say "Church Growth is from hell" and you should only read dead guys, but as a young pastor of a contemporary suburban church that has attended his fare share of Willow Creek and Creative Church Conferences I do want to raise a flag and ask the pastors of the new hip churches to consider reading a book that is focuses on God and God alone. You might find that it creates a hunger to know Him more.
Let me give some book recommendations.
Knowing God by JI Packer
The God You can Know by Dan Dehaan
The Nature of God by AW Pink or Arthur Pink
The Knowledge of the Holy by AW Tozer
The Holiness of God by RC Sproul
The Sovereignty of God by AW Pink
Desiring God by John Piper (okay anything by John Piper)
Close to His Majesty by David Needham
Of course the Bible is the best book to read! My I recommend "Search the Scriptures" by Alan Stibbs to help you in your studies. It's fantastic.
See-ya
Now the last part of the confession is easy to talk about. You go to any of the cool blogs out there (that I soon will provide links too) and they are talking about all the cool leadership books. Books that I want to and have read.
I want to confess though that a steady diet of Tipping Points, Good to Great, and Purple Cows doesn't make me love Jesus more.
Why is it that books about God aren't on the more innovative churches top reading list?
I am reading "The Nature of God" by AW Pink right now. No, he doesn't pastor a megachurch or have an emergent church with candles. He was born in 1886 and died in 1952. He uses the KJV in his writings and he writes thick words about a majestic God. He doesn't cite any movies or quote the hottest songs or use the newest lingo but he does write brief chapters about our Creator. It is an incredible book. When was the last time you read a book that made you think God was huge? When was the last time you read a book to meet Jesus in and not to get sermon ideas or good illustrations or to grow your church. I have done all that and it isn't necessarily bad, it just makes my soul small and sick if i do it for long periods of time. So maybe i have issues.
Why is it that people are raving about Brian McLaren's books but nobody seems to stop and ask, is he right? I like some of the stuff he says but overall I have serious concerns but others have said that better than me (www.reformission.com and listen to Gerry Breshears do an excellent job talking about his work). Have you read "God is the Gospel" by John Piper yet? What a great book to remind us that are we preaching the good news that people can know through Jesus the most exciting person in the universe? Or are we studying culture so much we are forgetting to study God.
I don't want to get lumped in with those guys that say "Church Growth is from hell" and you should only read dead guys, but as a young pastor of a contemporary suburban church that has attended his fare share of Willow Creek and Creative Church Conferences I do want to raise a flag and ask the pastors of the new hip churches to consider reading a book that is focuses on God and God alone. You might find that it creates a hunger to know Him more.
Let me give some book recommendations.
Knowing God by JI Packer
The God You can Know by Dan Dehaan
The Nature of God by AW Pink or Arthur Pink
The Knowledge of the Holy by AW Tozer
The Holiness of God by RC Sproul
The Sovereignty of God by AW Pink
Desiring God by John Piper (okay anything by John Piper)
Close to His Majesty by David Needham
Of course the Bible is the best book to read! My I recommend "Search the Scriptures" by Alan Stibbs to help you in your studies. It's fantastic.
See-ya
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
I'm Back
Hi,
I know that i am not a very good blogger because I have not been writting or is it blogging alot. Does anyone know a good blog tutor? Oh well I want to confess today that i am excited about 2006!
I am excited because of the newness. New calendars and fresh starts. I feel energized to preach and lead and seek God and love my family this year.
Starting this Sunday we are starting a new series called "My Life, My Money?" Go to our website and check out the promo video we made. It is a take-off from the American Express card commericals.
We had about 300 at our Christmas Eve service and it was great. Next year we hope to pour more into it.
I am presently interviewing a guy for a full time position. What are some good interview questions that you have used? The position is for "Director of Ministry Development". This guy will be over all out ministries, kinda of like old school "minister of education" and a precursor to an "Executive Pastor."
I am going to be writing more this year. I do want to write things that people will be blessed by and not just my ramblings about stuff.
Till later
I know that i am not a very good blogger because I have not been writting or is it blogging alot. Does anyone know a good blog tutor? Oh well I want to confess today that i am excited about 2006!
I am excited because of the newness. New calendars and fresh starts. I feel energized to preach and lead and seek God and love my family this year.
Starting this Sunday we are starting a new series called "My Life, My Money?" Go to our website and check out the promo video we made. It is a take-off from the American Express card commericals.
We had about 300 at our Christmas Eve service and it was great. Next year we hope to pour more into it.
I am presently interviewing a guy for a full time position. What are some good interview questions that you have used? The position is for "Director of Ministry Development". This guy will be over all out ministries, kinda of like old school "minister of education" and a precursor to an "Executive Pastor."
I am going to be writing more this year. I do want to write things that people will be blessed by and not just my ramblings about stuff.
Till later
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Narnia Starts Tomorrow!
I am pretty pumped about this movie. I have read all the books to my oldest daughter and listened to the Radio Theatre CD's No, I'm not preaching a Narnia series and no I don't think this is the greatest evangelistic opportunity since "The Passion of the Christ".
But it's going to be good. I really enjoyed the book "The Last Battle". Can't wait to see if they make that movie.
But it's going to be good. I really enjoyed the book "The Last Battle". Can't wait to see if they make that movie.
I want my church to grow pt 2
Hi.
So I have outted myself that I do want my church to grow larger. I also want it to grow stronger. It seems that Christians are heading toward two extremes. One extreme is God will forgive everything I can do what I want. It's my life and the all powerful god in people's lives is their happiness so divorcing their spouse is no big deal. I believe this has been called "licence". The other as you can guess is "legalism". I have heard things like "you should wear a suit", "the music needs to reverent", "You can't say sucks in church," "You can't say sex in church"! People tell me to be careful not to let the world in the church. It's funny how the "world" is typically only characterized by what offends your personal or political preferences. Sure I won't say "sucks" anymore but will you repent of your greed and pride because I don't want the world in our church.
I really am a nice man. Although I don't like dogs.
So anywho, I dream of stronger Christians who can live missionally and yet walk in holiness. Who can be all things to all people and continue to resist and forsake sin. You know how to be authentic in conversation and have a Biblically informed worldview.
So what is the best way to make disciples? People say it's "small groups" or "classes". I just don't know. There is no magic pill after doing this for over 10 years I know that. Discipleship, becoming a stronger Christian, seems to be a long messy process. I espeically notice that when I look at my heart. I want to be stronger. Stronger in my love and patience with people. Stronger in my discipline and evangelism.
I want Crossbridge to grow larger and stronger.
Till my next confession....
So I have outted myself that I do want my church to grow larger. I also want it to grow stronger. It seems that Christians are heading toward two extremes. One extreme is God will forgive everything I can do what I want. It's my life and the all powerful god in people's lives is their happiness so divorcing their spouse is no big deal. I believe this has been called "licence". The other as you can guess is "legalism". I have heard things like "you should wear a suit", "the music needs to reverent", "You can't say sucks in church," "You can't say sex in church"! People tell me to be careful not to let the world in the church. It's funny how the "world" is typically only characterized by what offends your personal or political preferences. Sure I won't say "sucks" anymore but will you repent of your greed and pride because I don't want the world in our church.
I really am a nice man. Although I don't like dogs.
So anywho, I dream of stronger Christians who can live missionally and yet walk in holiness. Who can be all things to all people and continue to resist and forsake sin. You know how to be authentic in conversation and have a Biblically informed worldview.
So what is the best way to make disciples? People say it's "small groups" or "classes". I just don't know. There is no magic pill after doing this for over 10 years I know that. Discipleship, becoming a stronger Christian, seems to be a long messy process. I espeically notice that when I look at my heart. I want to be stronger. Stronger in my love and patience with people. Stronger in my discipline and evangelism.
I want Crossbridge to grow larger and stronger.
Till my next confession....
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Confession #1 - I want the church to grow!
My first confession is that I want Crossbridge to grow numerically. We run between 275-300 people right now (that includes children). We celebrated our third birthday in September. i know the average size of the church in America is between 75-90 so I should be grateful and I am. God has changed people's lives at our church and used a sap like me. This past fall I read through the book of Acts that there are many sections that says say things like "and the church grew in number or the word of God spread or the number of disciples increased". Usually following those statements were statements like "and the faith of disciples grew stronger, and fear of the Lord grew in the church." So as I read these texts I have begun to pray that Crossbridge will grow larger and stronger.
I want Crossbridge to grow larger because I want to see more and more people who do not know Jesus cross the line of faith. I don't want to go see Hybels, Stanley and McManus to hear stories about transformation, I want to see God move. I have seen people who one week thought the Bible was full of myth two weeks later profess faith in Christ and two years later are still walking with Jesus. Is it bad to pray and pursure 500 more like that guy. The area we live is full of people who have money, yet are in debt. It's full of families that aren't really loving and close. Men who are passive and give themselves to work. Women who have boob jobs to keep looking young and fit. Kids who drive hummers and take recreational drugs, and middle schoolers having oral sex. They need Jesus! They need to be saved from the penalty and power of sin. They need to know God! I want Crossbridge to be filled with these people.
So I am praying and planning for God over the next ten years to send us thousands of people who become transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
"To be continued"
I want Crossbridge to grow larger because I want to see more and more people who do not know Jesus cross the line of faith. I don't want to go see Hybels, Stanley and McManus to hear stories about transformation, I want to see God move. I have seen people who one week thought the Bible was full of myth two weeks later profess faith in Christ and two years later are still walking with Jesus. Is it bad to pray and pursure 500 more like that guy. The area we live is full of people who have money, yet are in debt. It's full of families that aren't really loving and close. Men who are passive and give themselves to work. Women who have boob jobs to keep looking young and fit. Kids who drive hummers and take recreational drugs, and middle schoolers having oral sex. They need Jesus! They need to be saved from the penalty and power of sin. They need to know God! I want Crossbridge to be filled with these people.
So I am praying and planning for God over the next ten years to send us thousands of people who become transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
"To be continued"
It's my first blog...be kind
Hi,
I am not sure who will read this but I'm here. My hope is to enter into the conversation that Pastors are having today. I feel many times like a man without a home. I am the Lead Pastor of a church in Sugar Land, TX called "Crossbridge Church". Our website is www.crossbridge.cc , you should check it out. Our church is three years old, we meet in a school and do all the normal things a church plant does.
I feel like a man without a home because I deeply want to reach people far from God. I dream of seeing hundred and thousands of lives transformed by Jesus using this church. I want to be as authentic as possible in this pursuit and be culturally relelvant and all that jazz. But there is something in me that is disturbed by much of what is going on in new church plants today. It seems we do cool things but are we loosing the Gospel. We are told things like "discover the champion in you" but if there is a champion in me do I really need a Savior or just positive thoughts? We can copy the culture and do a sermon series called "Extreme Makover: the Life Edition, the Heart Edition, the church edition, the family edition, and the do we have keep going edition" but are really presenting the message of Jesus and are we forming radically ever deepening followers of Jesus?
Are our churches becoming all about fun videos and cleaver rip offs of the culture or are we really presening the Bible. One pastor I admire says it is "lazy to preach through books of the Bible.", yet I feel guilty when I just do topical. Do I need medication? One pastor says preach book by book only, one says topical, and one says preaching needs to be "re-imagined." but what is the best way to proclaim the truth that God is glorious, we are sinful, Jesus came died, was buried and was raised from dead, He reigns on a throne calls all people to repent, He has sent His Spirit to dwell in His children, will return and get the girl, slay the dragon and live happily ever after.
I have read more books on the church that I can care to say. I am not a coffee shop, organic, house church guy but God bless them. I have read books about context and all that jazz. I have read "Good to Great" and Brian McClaren and Andy Stanley and even Richard Baxter.
So what does it mean to be faithful to the Bible yet be on mission? I know people out there have opinions and easy answers. I just want to confess that I am still seeking and still looking for what it means to follow Jesus and make disciples.
So let's rock!
I am not sure who will read this but I'm here. My hope is to enter into the conversation that Pastors are having today. I feel many times like a man without a home. I am the Lead Pastor of a church in Sugar Land, TX called "Crossbridge Church". Our website is www.crossbridge.cc , you should check it out. Our church is three years old, we meet in a school and do all the normal things a church plant does.
I feel like a man without a home because I deeply want to reach people far from God. I dream of seeing hundred and thousands of lives transformed by Jesus using this church. I want to be as authentic as possible in this pursuit and be culturally relelvant and all that jazz. But there is something in me that is disturbed by much of what is going on in new church plants today. It seems we do cool things but are we loosing the Gospel. We are told things like "discover the champion in you" but if there is a champion in me do I really need a Savior or just positive thoughts? We can copy the culture and do a sermon series called "Extreme Makover: the Life Edition, the Heart Edition, the church edition, the family edition, and the do we have keep going edition" but are really presenting the message of Jesus and are we forming radically ever deepening followers of Jesus?
Are our churches becoming all about fun videos and cleaver rip offs of the culture or are we really presening the Bible. One pastor I admire says it is "lazy to preach through books of the Bible.", yet I feel guilty when I just do topical. Do I need medication? One pastor says preach book by book only, one says topical, and one says preaching needs to be "re-imagined." but what is the best way to proclaim the truth that God is glorious, we are sinful, Jesus came died, was buried and was raised from dead, He reigns on a throne calls all people to repent, He has sent His Spirit to dwell in His children, will return and get the girl, slay the dragon and live happily ever after.
I have read more books on the church that I can care to say. I am not a coffee shop, organic, house church guy but God bless them. I have read books about context and all that jazz. I have read "Good to Great" and Brian McClaren and Andy Stanley and even Richard Baxter.
So what does it mean to be faithful to the Bible yet be on mission? I know people out there have opinions and easy answers. I just want to confess that I am still seeking and still looking for what it means to follow Jesus and make disciples.
So let's rock!
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