Hi Girls,
I came across an article and I would love to chat about it with you. I think it’s relevant to our day and important for us to look at. You can read the article in it’s entirety HERE.
In a nutshell, it is a study on the effectiveness of the many programs of the mega-church style churches.
“Participation is a big deal. We believe the more people participating in these sets of activities, with higher levels of frequency, it will produce disciples of Christ.” This has been Willow’s philosophy of ministry in a nutshell. The church creates programs/activities. People participate in these activities. The outcome is spiritual maturity. In a moment of stinging honesty Hawkins says, “I know it might sound crazy but that’s how we do it in churches. We measure levels of participation.”
Through this study, they have come to realize that they have been wrong.
Bill Hybels said:
Some of the stuff that we have put millions of dollars into thinking it would really help our people grow and develop spiritually, when the data actually came back it wasn’t helping people that much. Other things that we didn’t put that much money into and didn’t put much staff against is stuff our people are crying out for.
He goes on to confess:
We made a mistake. What we should have done when people crossed the line of faith and become Christians, we should have started telling people and teaching people that they have to take responsibility to become ‘self feeders.’ We should have gotten people, taught people, how to read their bible between service, how to do the spiritual practices much more aggressively on their own. I can say that I am thrilled they have come to this conclusion!
Revelations 3:15-17 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say,’I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ — and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked — NKJV This may be a little toe stepping, but I’m willing to take the risk that all of us need reminding of this- including me! I believe that it is time for Christians to stop playing the church game. Are we living for Him or just joining a country club? This world is not going to get any brighter ASIDE from the light that you and I shed by the Lord inside of us. It’s time to live this thing. Really live for Him. No more walking the fence, thinking we’re fine if we attend church on Sundays. He doesn’t want to be part of our life, He wants to BE our life- because He IS life! What do you think? Don’t forget to enter the free drawing for Christmas Praise and Coffee! Click HERE to enter the November drawing!
