Dealing with issues-teens. Host discussion nights for teens to deal with social issues and help educate about them. Too often the church has been silent and many church members hold liberal ideas because that is all they hear. The church cannot convince the world that God’s way is better simply by claiming God said it, because those who don’t believe in God feel it is just your opinion and no better than that of anyone else. God created us and knows what is best for us but we must back our defense of Christian values with facts and demonstrate through our lives and the witness of the church that God’s ways are best. I have done a series of courses on social issues dealing with the values laid down in the Bible and how they differ from those who do not know the teaching of the Bible. It is good to have such sessions with adults also.
Archive for the ‘Faith in practice’ Category
Seventh Sunday of Pentecost-July 19
Jails-Sunday Services, Bible Studies, and counseling are greatly needed in jails and prisons. Many in jails are short term and more minor offences while prisons are more long term and more serious offences. While ministering in jails and prisons is a very difficult ministry, it is very rewarding to see inmates turn to Christ. Many who have broken the law feel guilty and want to find forgiveness. They need to know that there is forgiveness and redemption through the shed blood of Christ. Others realize that what they did was wrong and want to mend their ways. They feel that they can’t change so why try. They need to know that we can become a new creature in Christ and there are people willing to help them. Often those let out of jail face problems they don’t know how to solve. Getting back home, reestablishing a residence, getting a job, etc. Many are afraid to face the unknown ahead and are encouraged that someone who understands the process is willing to walk with them through the process. Families of inmates also struggle and need encouragement. Often they face the loss of the
Third Sunday of Pentecost-B-June 22
Para-church organizations–Ministry beyond the church In the beginning, para-church organizations to minister to the community were supported by the churches which provided oversight as well as supplying funds and volunteers. As a result, many church members were able to get training and experience through the programs. However, many churches no longer support the parachurch organizations and the organizations get very little support from individual churches, so they are often forced to draw their support from the community at large. As a result, churches often see them as competitors for money rather than as avenues for ministry and church members are finding few avenues to serve and no training in how to serve. Many para-church organizations can provide volunteer opportunities for members to serve God and often provide needed training. (see “The Important I”-LULU Press) If you are interested in serving Christ beyond the local church check with the local Salvation Army or other church related ministries to see what volunteer opportunities are available in your area.
Third Sunday of Pentecost-A-June 22
Parachurch Ministries– Ministry beyond the church In the past, many members learned to minister to others as they ministered to other members and to those who came to the church for help. Today, church members are so scattered they rarely know each other well and few people come to the church seeking help anymore. As a result members get little experience in ministering to others and few church members have the experience to help. Many problems in small churches do not warrant separate programs to deal with them, however many problems formerly associated with the inner-city are moving to the suburbs as the poor move to the suburbs where rent is cheaper, housing is better, and there is less violence. Many suburban and rural areas do not know how to deal with the problems and many problems are too big for individual churches to handle. As a result, many churches today have withdrawn from ministry to those around them so many community needs are not being met. Parachurch organizations have grown up to help, such as Habitat For Humanity, Crisis Pregnancy Centers, etc. to carry on ministries and to meet the unmet needs in the community.
Making America Great Again-O
– Many churches today struggle with declining memberships and have difficulty attracting new members. It seems like people are no longer interested in spiritual things. Many church leaders feel the church is no longer relevant and are trying to change the way they do things to make the church seem more relevant. In addition, they down play the Christian message or ignore it altogether because they think that it is offensive to people. In fact, the Christian message is relevant and is needed more now than it was 60-70 years ago. The fact is, the church is not getting its message out. Those things that worked 60-70 years ago no longer work.
The number one question I am asked by pastors in America is how to get people more involved in the church. Many churches are constantly struggling to carry on with only a few members actively involved. People used to be actively involved but over the years it has become more and more difficult, until it is very difficult to get people to help. However, the problem is much deeper. While many pastors say that their churches are going well otherwise, I do not find that to be the case. When I survey churches, I am primarily concerned about whether they are fulfilling Christ’s command to win the lost and make disciples, because that is how God measures the church. Many churches have not had a single conversion in years. All their new members come from those who have previously been members elsewhere, in spite of the fact that the portion of the population that has a church background continues to shrink. Yet churches overseas are experiencing unbelievable growth as many unbelievers flock to the church. What is the difference?
They are not doing very well at making disciples either. In many churches, members are little different than unbelievers though they have been members for many years. If Jesus came to show us a better way, why aren’t Christians living out that new life and why aren’t they eager to serve God? Many members struggle with balancing what they hear in church with what they hear from the world around them. They may pay lip service to the teachings of the church but do not live them out in their everyday life. .
Fifth Sunday of Lent-March 6
Fifth Sunday in Lent-March 6, 2025-Doers, not just hearers-Matt 7:24-27 Jesus said those who hear his Word but do not do them are like a man who builds his house on sand and when storms come, the house will fall. But he who hears God’s Word and does it is like a man who builds his house on solid rock. If we hear His instructions, but do not follow them, we build on a very shaky foundation and when trials come, our house will collapse because it isn’t built on God’s Word. Men today think they know better than God but the world they built will collapse when trouble comes, as it must. Since God created us, He knows what is best for us. If we follow His instructions, we will prosper. If we hear His Word and follow it, we will be on a firm foundation and won’t be shaken when we experience trials. We need to return to the way God taught us. Few churches today teach Biblical values to their people. That is why wrote the courses on Biblical values. In the same way, preaching alone does not change people. Jesus spent three years teaching the masses but they did not automatically become disciples because His preaching told them what to do but did not show them how. Jesus chose twelve disciples and they followed Him. They watched Him as He lived out what it means to love God and those around them and they learned how to live a life pleasing to God as they watched Him. Too many churches are filled with spiritual babies because the church relies on preaching alone.
Fourth Sunday in Lent-March 30
Don’t do to be seen by men-Matt 6:1-8. Jesus tells us that we should not parade our piety before men but do it in secret before God. Some people like to give alms and pray in front of everyone so everyone will be impressed with how pious we are. When we do that, it is to find favor with men and we will be rewarded by men, but God will not be impressed. The Pharisees used to stand on the street corners and pray so people would be impressed and look up to them as pious people and Jesus often chastised them for it because they loved the praise of men more than they loved God. He wants us to do it to please Him, not to please men. If we do it in secret, God will reward us openly.
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