My bubble was burst Sunday afternoon as I realized (again) that we are engaged in a war and some (perhaps many) of us do not really know the rules of engagement. I attended a workshop for rural churches that was little more than people whining about other people in their church or community and why they won’t come to their church. I am sorry…I don’t think God ever intended for us all to go to your church (or to mine). We need to focus on the task at hand: preaching Christ crucified. Too often we think we are competing with school, ballgames, television, social clubs, civic organizations and even other churches. One person shared a story of how one church in a town attracted all the youth and then finally another church started a youth program. The first church was so thankful because it couldn’t handle all the ‘church kids’ who showed up, let alone go after the unchurched in the community! It’s okay to try new things, we all should be changing with the times, but we need to remember that our God is bigger, more powerful, and more enticing than any program or organization the human mind can contrive. If we will preach Christ crucified, God will draw people to himself…people of all ages. If we will not be His witnesses, it doesn’t matter what we do…or how many people attend our church…we will fail.
OK This is the THIRD time that staying focused has been brought to my attention within a couple of days! As JW would say: God, you have my attention. I've been guilty of allowing myself to become sidetracked with all the 'stuff' and then wondering why things aren't working out well. Where are my eyes? On Jesus OR on the stuff?? It's time to get re-focused! As always - Thanks for the "I" exam.
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