Rebuilding the Local Church After a Decline
You can rebuild the local church from decline by staying centered on the Word, living out a missional vision and finding creative ways to keep Jesus at the forefront of the local church's work.
You can rebuild the local church from decline by staying centered on the Word, living out a missional vision and finding creative ways to keep Jesus at the forefront of the local church's work.
After long years working in the church, both sinning and being sinned against within her, I still believe in the body of Christ—the church. Why? Because I believe in Jesus now more than ever.
If Jesus says being a disciple and making disciples is the main thing, then making disciples central to faith is the main thing for us. But what in the world does this look like?
My Top 6 Books on Becoming a Healthy Christian Identity
In light of the unique role that written texts have played in Christianity for two millennia, it will be helpful to briefly consider what may be determined regarding the New Testament composition process and the manner in which the biblical authors composed and distributed their works.
When it comes to evangelism, if we can learn to ask good questions, I believe we will find it much easier to have helpful, more relaxed, and more fruitful conversations about our faith in Jesus.
Toms message was simple: each and every one of us is invited to encounter a God who loves, chooses, and visits us through practices like Thomas Merton breathing prayer.
You can see where God has been at work and what He has brought you through. You will be reminded that what felt so devastating or challenging earlier in the year is now behind you, and you are the better for it, offering a view from the mountaintop.
With evangelical churches often consisting of more than half of its members and volunteers being women, we see the fruit and faithfulness each and every week, and yet when it comes to the conversation about how to honor women in church, it often gets hijacked with arguments around roles, office, and title, and in so doing we miss a bigger conversation around celebrating, equipping, and affirming the roles of women in our churches.
Forgive what you can in the moment. When God makes something right, there is true restoration, healing, forgiveness, and change, especially concerning the pain of Judas betraying Jesus.