Since our message never changes and the messenger must change the big question for our day is, what method may we use to spread the gospel?
The fighting in churches today is not about doctrine, but methods. The style of building, the style of music, the format for services, the location for discipleship and preferences like these which pertain to the methods of spreading the Gospel and helping people worship God. Most of the fighting about methods can be evaded by setting forth some principles that guide the decision making process of the church.
Every local church needs a doctrinal statement that encapsulates what they believe, teach and practice. Every local church needs a set of goals. Every local church needs a set of core values. These goals and core values must be based on the Scriptures and mindful of the local culture the church is called by God to reach for Jesus. These act as a compass to guide the church in the direction it must go with ministry. If a ministry idea arises that is not within these guiding principles then that ministry idea is rejected for something more suitable.
Here are some areas where I am growing in the principles that guide our methods.
1. We must be creative.
I have been working to make my preaching more creative. This means using tools that make the message more fun, memorable, inspiring, and thought provoking. Messages must speak to people in the language of their culture. The reason I don't use the KJV (though in some instances I like it better than NIV) is because it is a language that we don't speak any longer. What languages do people receive info through today, how about video, e-mail, Internet, and through close friendships?
2. We must be serving.
People communicate (speaking and receiving love) through acts of service. We can spread the Gospel through acts of service. I am interested in helping people in our church serve Washington. We need to be the church that people love to love, because we are giving more to Washington than we are taking.
3. We must be in the marketplace.
George Fredrick Handel's Hallelujah Chorus says, "The kingdoms of this world is become, the Kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ!" (This is from Rev. 11:15) The Church is not made to exist in a building with a steeple, but to exist in the community! The church's compass is so building oriented that we have lost sight of true north! Let's get the gospel into homes, classrooms, college campuses, workplaces, county fairs, parades, and on the street.
In the next several years First Assembly is going to be able to do these things in greater ways than we ever have in the history of this local church. Let's get creative, work together and follow the Lord's vision to reach the lost.
Paul
The fighting in churches today is not about doctrine, but methods. The style of building, the style of music, the format for services, the location for discipleship and preferences like these which pertain to the methods of spreading the Gospel and helping people worship God. Most of the fighting about methods can be evaded by setting forth some principles that guide the decision making process of the church.
Every local church needs a doctrinal statement that encapsulates what they believe, teach and practice. Every local church needs a set of goals. Every local church needs a set of core values. These goals and core values must be based on the Scriptures and mindful of the local culture the church is called by God to reach for Jesus. These act as a compass to guide the church in the direction it must go with ministry. If a ministry idea arises that is not within these guiding principles then that ministry idea is rejected for something more suitable.
Here are some areas where I am growing in the principles that guide our methods.
1. We must be creative.
I have been working to make my preaching more creative. This means using tools that make the message more fun, memorable, inspiring, and thought provoking. Messages must speak to people in the language of their culture. The reason I don't use the KJV (though in some instances I like it better than NIV) is because it is a language that we don't speak any longer. What languages do people receive info through today, how about video, e-mail, Internet, and through close friendships?
2. We must be serving.
People communicate (speaking and receiving love) through acts of service. We can spread the Gospel through acts of service. I am interested in helping people in our church serve Washington. We need to be the church that people love to love, because we are giving more to Washington than we are taking.
3. We must be in the marketplace.
George Fredrick Handel's Hallelujah Chorus says, "The kingdoms of this world is become, the Kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ!" (This is from Rev. 11:15) The Church is not made to exist in a building with a steeple, but to exist in the community! The church's compass is so building oriented that we have lost sight of true north! Let's get the gospel into homes, classrooms, college campuses, workplaces, county fairs, parades, and on the street.
In the next several years First Assembly is going to be able to do these things in greater ways than we ever have in the history of this local church. Let's get creative, work together and follow the Lord's vision to reach the lost.
Paul
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