Explosive growth: Unleash the creativity of your congregation.
This morning Rick Warren's Ministry Toolbox Issue #193 arrived in my inbox.
God doesn't need anything from us! And the dormant "success" of Christianity certainly doesn't lie in the belly of Christians who have yet to discover their full potential. Looking at gifting/potential and talent has only gotten the church into serious trouble in the past and I am sure it will continue to be one of our biggest downfalls. Talent, resources etc may certainly add to ones life and ministry, dare I say it - but it isn't what Christianity needs.
Isn't a Christian someone who has denied oneself for the sake of Christ. Someone who has laid down everything he has, to now walk with Christ, under His Lordship/Rule and reign. We have nothing to offer to God other than our very lives and He most certainly doesn't need our small displays of talent and creativity for Himself to be Glorified.
What is it going to take for Christianity to explode with growth at an unprecedented rate? The only answer that I have at this time is....Jesus! Because it certainly isn't gonna be us!
"Napoleon once pointed to a map of China and said, "There lies a sleeping giant. If it ever wakes up, it will be unstoppable." Today the American church is a sleeping giant. Each Sunday, church pews are filled with members who are doing nothing with their faith except "keeping" it.It was this last sentence that really surprised me! I don't want to get into dissing/ranting mode here, but do we really believe this?
But God has far greater expectations for every Christian. He expects us to use our gifts and talents in ministry. If we can ever awaken and unleash the massive talent, resources, creativity and energy found in the typical local church, Christianity will explode with growth at an unprecedented rate."
God doesn't need anything from us! And the dormant "success" of Christianity certainly doesn't lie in the belly of Christians who have yet to discover their full potential. Looking at gifting/potential and talent has only gotten the church into serious trouble in the past and I am sure it will continue to be one of our biggest downfalls. Talent, resources etc may certainly add to ones life and ministry, dare I say it - but it isn't what Christianity needs.
Isn't a Christian someone who has denied oneself for the sake of Christ. Someone who has laid down everything he has, to now walk with Christ, under His Lordship/Rule and reign. We have nothing to offer to God other than our very lives and He most certainly doesn't need our small displays of talent and creativity for Himself to be Glorified.
What is it going to take for Christianity to explode with growth at an unprecedented rate? The only answer that I have at this time is....Jesus! Because it certainly isn't gonna be us!
posted by Shane at 11:57 am
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