Adam Diehl and Don France are attending a conference in Sheffield, England this week and last. They are attending there with Dr. Kent Hunter, the Church Doctor, to explore a church movement in that country that the Church Doctor recommends. They are returning this weekend.
This movement sets aside the traditional idea that church is where we go on the weekends to watch the pastor and key leaders do ministry. The new model is that weekend services are to inspire and motivate individual church members to “be” the church in reaching out to friends and neighbors. Its about building non-threatening relationships with pre-believers outside of the formal church structure.
I am currently rereading the Book of Acts to rediscover how the Early Church did things. In Acts, it wasn’t just the twelve apostles who did ministry, but it was everyone’s involvement. Paul said that the role of the five-fold ministry was to “equip the saints to do the work of ministry”. That’s a whole new concept in some churches.
What do you think about that?
Tags: church, ministry
Whenever the young men whom John Wesley sent out to preach returned, he would ask two questions: “Was anyone converted?” and “Did anyone get angry?” If the answer was no to both questions, he cautioned them about entering the ministry. He explained that when God’s Word is faithfully presented, people either believe or they become antagonistic.
I’ve noticed that in our church. People either feel that this is “home”, and can’t wait to come back again, or they come up with some gripe about the church and why it isn’t a “good” church. The gospel either opens hearts or it causes people to harden their hearts. We’re not responsible for how others respond to the gospel; we are, however, responsible for making sure they hear the clear gospel presentation.
What was your reaction when you first heard the gospel clearly presented?
Tags: evangelism, ministry, preaching, Wesley