Membership and MIssion

Ed Stetzer has a great post on membership in the Southern Baptist Convention. (Breaking News) While Ed speaks of the SBC the applications he draws applies across the board to each group of believers. What really matters in what we are doing? Have we let issues that are not critical become so critical that we have lost the reason God has allowed us to stay on this earth?

Invation to attend

In an article by Thom Rainer and Sam Rainer entitled Getting to Know the Unchurched, I found this very interesting piece of research:

Surprisingly, many people who are not currently attending a church are receptive to going. In fact, about 38% of the unchurched are receptive or highly receptive to attending church. The reason they do not attend is that they have yet to be invited. If invited and escorted, 82% of the unchurched we surveyed are open to attending church with a friend or acquaintance. Unfortunately, only 21% of active church-going Christians invited someone to church last year.

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Beyond the Wineskin

Tom Johnston made a great comment about wine or the wineskin read the complete article.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t go to Starbucks for the paper cup. I go for the coffee. For me, it’s all about the contents of that cup, not the 10% recycled cup or the 30% recycled sleeve. I will not buy more Starbucks if they make the cup more cool looking. In fact, by taking a minimalistic approach to the packaging of their product, Starbucks actually is making a bold marking statement: our product is so good you will pay way too much for our really good coffee in this simple paper cup. And they are right. In a society that focuses on the externals of life, the appearance of things, they have masterfully highlighted the quality of the content by the use of a simple package. ...more...

Leadership Selection

Acts 13 starts by identifying prophets and teachers in Antioch. Two of the five listed we know the other three we know nothing about other then they were prophets and teachers. After worshiping and fasting they were lead by the Holy Spirit to “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul” for the work of the Lord. At this point they didn't jump up and leave, but after fasting and praying laid their hands on them and sent them off. How are decision made in ministry today?

As they were in service for the Lord they fasted and being directed by the Holy Spirit set apart two missionaries. But prior to sending them they fasted and prayed, upon the conclusion they commissioned Barnabas and Saul. So how did we select the last leadership role in our church? I am not trying to say this is the only method, because not everyone sent in the Bible repeated these steps, but it makes we ask how we are selecting leaders. How do you select leaders?

Beam Me up Scotty

Came across this today and wonder how it is going to impact the church and church planting in the future. I am sure the cost is to high today, but it will come down. Take a look and let me know what you think.

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