What Are You Here For?

There is a blog entry at Church Marketing Sucks about the Visionless Church. It is an interesting write-up in that it does a good job in describing some of the pitfalls of mission statements and visions. The problem is that in order to truly have no vision, you would have to not care where the church goes. Where most churches go wrong is that their vision is something they dreamed up. God is the one who gives visions and dreams. Part of the reason He does is that it causes us to trust Him to bring the vision to fruition. More churches need to set the model for their people of how to listen to God to see where He is wanting to lead. Because if we go where He leads, He will provide the strength and resources to accomplish that vision. That is the abundant life!

Church Buildings Leave Me Unimpressed

Church Marketing Sucks had an interesting post the other day regarding church buildings. It was a call to generate discussion about whether church build a place of worship or just a functional warehouse. Okay, that is my paraphrase, read it for yourself. Below is my view.

Of all the great advancements the fundamental church has given us, they have taken away the wonder of God's majesty. In response to the over-reliance of icons and symbols of the Catholic Church, modern-day Protestants have removed them all. I would think of all blogs, this would be one that would get the importance of the place of worship.

The church building is as much marketing as the signage outside. How many churches have you been to where the focus on the pulpit? Yes, we should be Bible-based, but our focus should lead to Christ. Let's don't blow the wad, but let's use everything to speak to the wonder and glory beyond ourselves.

Whether in word or deed, let's do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Love Winston Salem

I just heard about this wonderful focus of Calvery Baptist. Love Winston-Salem from what I can tell is a response to the realization that the church needs to not only focus on missions far away but also focus on missions down the street. Baptist churches are typically stereotyped as being strong on evangelism but leaving the service ministries to the likes of the Methodists or Catholics. I am sure many will question their motives, but bravo Calvary. Engage your community. Enter the lives of our neighbors. Let them see the love of Christ and not only hear it. My prediction is that Calvary will experience a season of growth and awakening within those who attend because of this.

Spiritual Markers

Wes Tuttle of River Oaks recently gave a sermon on Memory Stones. His text came from Joshua 4 when the Israelites were commanded to take 12 stones from the middle of the Jordan and to place them at the place where they crossed. These stones were to be a memorial to them and their generations to come of God’s hand in bringing them into the Promised Land.Wes shared how married couples should place erect memorials as reminders to them and their children of God’s hand on their lives. It is amazing how easy it is to forget the wonders of God’s grace and mercy on our lives. (Deut 4:9).Henry Blackaby called these spiritual markers. He said that these significant events in your life are preparing you for God’s purpose for you. Have you ever thought about this for a city? The book of Revelation seems to indicate this is true. God has definite done this for nations. What do you think Winston Salem is being prepared for? We have the Moravian heritage, as well as, banking and cigarettes. If anyone has any thoughts, I would love to hear them.Only the God of the universe can bring together the events of individuals’ lives and the events of corporate lives in such a way as to have a specific calling for a city. It is amazing to think about. I pray that we can find it and join in!

Churches in Winston Salem

I thought I would step out in faith and put together a list of churches in Winston-Salem. I am listing the churches I have personally attended or know something about. If you would like your church included you can write it in the comments. This list is sorted by ranking my knowledge of the church.

• River Oaks Community Church
• Calvary Baptist Church
• Reynolda Presbyterian Church
• Calvary Chapel
• St. Paul's Episcopal Church
• Center Grove Baptist Church
• Hope Presbyterian Church
• Redeemer Presbyterian Church
• Salem Chapel
• Triad Baptist Church
• Cornerstone Christian Church
• Agape Faith
• New Hope Presbyterian Church

How To Bring Revival

Well from the flyer I got in the mail, it seems that you just need to bring in a special speaker and hold multiple meetings in one week. It is obvious that this is an outreach event for the church because everyone in my neighborhood was invited. The flyer stated that such and such church was holding a revival the week of dates with special speaker.

This raises the question of what is revival. Henry Blackaby writes, "revival is simply God returning to His people in His fulness and power, and demonstrating His presence in His people to a watching world." Now, this is what I want! Will a special speaker brings this about? It could happen, but is it expected from this week-long event. If this is not what we mean, let's not water down the word.

Revival will come only in God's timing. We can tend the soil for revival by prayer and fasting over time. Fireseeds of Spiritual Awakening is a great resource for anyone seriously desiring to bring revival to their area. One major trust of the book is to gather a group of commited people to pray regularly and together for their church and/or community.

One last note on marketing. If this flyer I received was actually for an evangelical event, what about that wording would draw a non-believer to attend?

Church On A Mission 2

I had the opportunity to attend Calvary Chapel last night. They used their Thursday service to focus on their Crown Financial classes. One of the things I appreciated about what they are doing is that it not just another ministry for Calvary Chapel, but they have recognized the importance this ministry has for their church and put resources towards it.

Having a vision does not have to be a city-wide event, like Love Winston Salem. The idea is you want to have a couple of different ongoing programs that build momentum and excitement. Excitement builds passion. Passion touches your heart. Your heart is where Christ lives.

Church On A Mission

Last week I posted a story about Calvery Baptist's campaign, Love Winston-Salem. I listed it under Engagement because it is a wondeful example of how a local church is reaching out to its community. Most churches forget the reason they are in existance. They get a small gathering of people and get fat, happy, and lazy. In a sense apathy has run amock in the church today.

Apathy occurs when people lose sight of any real purpose. You go to church on Sunday, listen to the sermon, and then go home to live your life. Winston-Salem churches need to follow Calvary's example. Either join them in this campaign or start your own. People need to have something to strive for. They need a vision for a better tomorrow. They need to trust Christ for something other than personal blessings.