This is the other half to the post previously mentioned by Craig Groeschel. Having listed 10 reasons why we should invite he now lists 10 reasons why we don’t invite people to become Christians. Interesting stuff.
No excuses…I am not embarrassed to ask people if they want to accept Jesus as their Saviour when they come to Xcel Church. How about you?
My favourite thing…vision.
I think if I could not spend time dreaming then life would be stifled, boring. Vision helps me keep creative, helps with maintaining some freshness, it has no boundaries. Been thinking about how a simple vision can make such a huge difference.
Jesus’ vision was simple…I will build my Church.
That is an incredibly powerful vision. It certainly gets you imagining what could be…especially with God on your side. The Church is such an amazing organisation, full of so many different people, all at different stages in their walk with God, each carrying various expectations of what God can do in their life and dealing with an abundance of issues both good and bad every day!! Thank God that God said He would build it!!
That vision certainly fits on the front of a t-shirt.
It’s a vision that changed the world. A simple vision, easy to understand and get behind. 12 ordinary men took it on and look what they did (with a little help from the Holy Spirit).
Jesus’ vision is simple and visual.
Just take a moment and think about Church and what you would love your Church to become. Visual is important. It helps establish the vision in the hearts and minds of those who come. People like to know how everything fits together.
As a Pastor this is important to me…if people cannot see their place it can become hard for them to feel that they fit, which could mean they are more likely to only visit and not stay. A visual vision is more powerful than words, it captures the imagination, it breeds confidence, it shows someone the possible progress and how the Church desire to help them do that.
Xcel Church makes it simple for people to belong, even if they don’t believe. I’m certain that this is the Jesus way of doing things, after all, He was accepting of everyone.
Love God…get connected every Sunday, discover God for the first time at Aycliffe, Darlington or Durham through great worship and life-giving word
Love People…become part of a Small Group, meet new people, dig deeper into God with like-minded people on the same journey as you
Love Others…serve, in Church and in the Community and get involved in a cause bigger than you
Is that too simple? Have I made it as easy as 1,2,3…hope you can see where you fit and what could be next. A vision like that is worth giving everything for and in my opinion should always be easy to grasp hold of.
[What do you think? Is Church simple or complex?]
Don’t ever forget that this applies to everyone in our worlds that don’t know Jesus as their Saviour, so keep asking. Read this great post from Craig Groeschel.
We will build a thriving congregation in Darlington, that is welcoming, inclusive, with an atmosphere of faith and expectation of meeting with God. At Xcel Church I promise to give people an opportunity more often to accept Jesus into their world. Let’s see what God can do!
This is a dangerous post. Let’s talk about something that people don’t talk about.
We are ‘to become more like Jesus’, that’s what the Bible says - but are we?
When I really think about this I have to admit that sometimes, in fact, maybe a lot of the time, I am not as much like Jesus as I could be. Now there’s a confession. Hope it doesn’t lose me my Pastor credentials.
Be honest. Think about it for a moment…if Jesus were about, where we would He be most of the time? In Church? Or possibly outside, connecting with people, hanging out with the lost, the lonely, the broken, the law-breakers, the outcasts - everyone most people work hard to avoid.
Questions I have been asking myself: Do I spend too much time about the business of Church and not enough time with people, non-Church people? I have a vision for Xcel Church Darlington…it involves seeing many lives changed, transformed by Jesus. Is it right that I ask those that already come to go out into their worlds, reach out to family, friends and work colleagues but not work as hard at that myself.
Let me say this: I am determined to reach people. To become a bringer. To be an influencer. To connect in a normal, non-whacky spiritual way - just me, getting to know someone else. To answer their questions, to be honest with them and hopefully help them discover the truth about Jesus for themselves.
This thought is not original…I read in a book about a Pastor who asked about 20 of his team if any of them had hung out with some non-Christians that week, socialising with them in non-Church activities. The answer….100% no! We are meant to live in the world but not according to the worlds culture. Maybe we have retreated too much and are hiding our ‘light under the bucket’ instead of just being ready, willing and available to live a great Christian life and seize the opportunities when they come - not force the issue all the time.
So, changes a foot. A different schedule needed. Spending time in the business of Church is important but spending too much time surely misses the point. I feel the need to ‘live full’ but ‘die empty’ so whatever happens I need to make sure I am giving it everything I can to see people into the Kingdom.
Hope thats not too honest and that it makes sense…just where God is prodding me at the moment.
What is your answer to this question?
We had a good time this morning. I enjoyed it for one reason: we were answering some questions that people who don’t come to Church are asking.
Thought I’d put some on here for your perusal. (Any irreverent comments will be deleted)
How do you decide a person is the person you should marry?
What’s the best piece of advice you have been given about marriage?
When neither spouse agrees in decision making, how do you come to a solution?
In todays society, many parents treat their children as friends. How do you view this and what does the Bible say about it?
Is spanking/smacking your children permissible? If so, how is it best done?
What are the main principles to instil into your children as Christian parents?
What are views on TV, DVD & games consoles? (In the context of parenting/kids)
Is it right for a Christian and non-Christian to have sex if they are in love? (In marriage yes; outside of marriage no - whoever you are)
Hope we gave some sensible answers, Godly answers, that can help people when they are at work during the week.
From Mark Battersons blog a really good thought on how important vision can be. From his new book which releases soon.
I think vision is the cure for sin. One reason many of us get entangled in sin is because we don’t have enough God-ordained vision to keep us busy. The more vision you have, the less you will sin. And the less vision you have, the more you will sin. It is a vision that keeps us playing offense spiritually.
Too often we try to stop sinning by not sinning. That is what psychologists call a double bind. It’s sort of like saying, “Be spontaneous.” You can’t be spontaneous now that I’ve told you to be! The way to stop sinning is not by focusing on not sinning. The way to stop sinning is by getting a God-sized vision that consumes all your time and energy.
[What do you reckon to that?]
This Sunday at Xcel Church promises to be different. We are on the final week of a mini-series - one week on Marriage, one week on Parenting and this week we are giving people an opportunity to ask questions about these two topics.
It’s going to be interesting.
What would you like to ask? Leave your questions here…answers will follow after the weekend.
Growing Churches are the ones keeping it simple. Not over complicating things with loads of programmes, events and meetings. It’s a challenging balance for any leader.
Xcel Church Darlington started in March this year and it’s going great. The vision is to grow a thriving congregation, reaching the unchurched of this town plus those who have given up on Church. I don’t believe that throwing events at the vision is the only answer but they can be a part of the process.
Whatever we do it must help people move further on in their journey with God. That’s the challenge because everyone is at a different place.
I am excited about the next 6 months and what it will bring. Pray with me for the next 30 days for growth, new Christians and influence in peoples lives. Jesus is the answer - bring it on. The adventure continues…
[What should Church offer?]
I’m sure if I sat for long enough I would come up with some leadership lessons. Would they be as simple, yet as challenging as these listed by Dave Ferguson. Check out the post here
Here are five lessons that took me a long time to learn and now you can learn them in less than five minutes.
1. The “God-Thing” Comes Before The Vision
Most leaders make the mistake of thinking that change starts with their vision; change starts with a “God-thing”. It is the leaders’ job to identify where God is at work and to communicate the vision of what God is doing and how we must get involved in His work.
2. Money Always Follows Vision
People give money to a compelling cause with a clear vision. When economic times are hard leaders are tempted to reduce the budget and the vision. NO! Increase the vision and money will follow. Never forget - God is always at work and vision is free!
3. Make It Fit On A Napkin.
If it can’t be explained on a napkin it is too complicated. Make sure everything from your slogan, to your process for disciple-making to how you will create a movement can be explained on a napkin. If is simple and reproducible you can mobilize the masses.
4. Lead With A “Yes” And Ask “How” Later
If you want to lead in bringing about innovation learn to lead with a “yes” and not “how”. People are born with dreams from God and they want to make a difference. What they need most is a leader who will say “yes” when they ask for permission to give it a try.
5. Take Risks On Emerging Leaders & Artists
Resist the urge of telling young leaders to wait a few years; they need and deserve opportunities to lead, so take a risk on them now! Good art always involves risk; so if you want good art in your church you must take risks on your artists!
What lessons have you learned along the way?
Been thinking about how we are reaching people. How can we get people through the doors of Xcel Church in Darlington if they don’t know we exist?
The most obvious way is for people to bring people. Which they do and I love that. For the rest - need to make sure the signage is right, some new leaflets, some sort of editorial piece for the local press, plus me, being in Darlington more often, meeting people, keeping up with what’s going on.
God is increasing my heart for people. For a town which people say is hard to love. Let me say, it’s not about people just for numbers sake but then again, maybe it is. One more person coming to Xcel Church means one more person having the opportunity to give their lives to Christ.
Here comes an incredibly bold statement that need to work towards achieving: I think I would do just about anything (anything short of sin, that is) to help people cross the line into the Kingdom of God. The ‘how’ part of vision is something to discuss further.
Your thoughts please…
twitter
Recent Comments