A Return to Simplicity

In October I wrote an article entitled, "The Church bubble has Burst." What has been the excepted norm of the contemporary or modern Church structure and operation, is changing. Across the country and in various denominations, we are seeing an evolutions taking place within young Church leaders who are changing the way young people see and view the Church. From its over indulgents, greed and the out of control appetite to out do the other, to a more simpler operation as seen in the early church. A structure and operation where the congregants won't feel that being apart or a Church body is like having an extra eight hour job.

In November 2008, I was invited to attend a Pastoral focus group. The group consisted of Pastors from a variety of denominations, positions, and backgrounds. They ranged from no degrees to PhD's. We discussed a lot of things, but one thing in particular was the most pressing comment and complaint and that is the overwhelming amount of man made protocols and doctrines that are not Biblical. Legalism in the modern church has pushed people from all walks of life from the Church.

A recent, Barna Group survey’s findings show that people no longer look to denominations or churches for a complete set of theological views. Rather, combining beliefs from different denominations, and even religions, is becoming the norm. Another finding in the survey is that Christianity is no longer viewed as the default religion in America. More than 50 percent of the adult respondents say that Christianity is no longer the faith that Americans automatically accept as their personal faith. Residents in the Northeast and West were also more likely than those living in the South and Mideast to say that Christianity has lost its place as the first faith option people consider.

When doing research for my forthcoming book, I asked men from 18 to 45, years of age, what is it that they dislike most about the Church. The overwhelming answer was Church leadership. They felt that the leadership have lost touch with the people.

At the focus group session, I was the youngest, with the least amout of pastoral experience. I was asked to share my thoughts. This is what I told them. "As a Pastor, one of the things I have set out to do is to return to the simplicity and pure doctrines of the New Testament Church as described in scriptures ." In other words, "KEEP IT SIMPLE." Our church functions like a church, not a business. We seek to be the Church, not to have Church. A church where the congregants won't feel that being apart of our church body is like having an extra eight hour job.

Are you ready to take such action?

"Abide in the Vine in 09"

Abide: to dwell, remain, to last and endure.

In the book of John 15:5, Jesus says, "Yes, I am the vine; your are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing." NLT

Well, Well. That's an interesting statement. What is also interesting is the fact that every year at this time Christians get a thirst for something new. They want to do something different. Something that will bring about change in their personal lives. This is why so many make "New Years Resolutions." Their looking for a change.

Christ has no problem with change. He talks about change through out the Bible. He endorses change. Changes that are in our best interest. Changes we need and changes we can use. Now, where have I heard this before.

The problem is not that one wants to change, but how we go about it. This time every year people are looking for change and want to change, but because they do not attach themselves to the vine, (Jesus) they fall short by February.

January 1st of every year, millions of Christians make "New Years Resolutions", that consist of things like, weight, health, finance, family, but almost never will you hear them say that they are going to get closer to God.

Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.

Christians tend to exclude the very one that is able to give and help us accomplish the changes we desire. In other words, we choose to detach ourselves from the "Vine". The very one that is able to see us to completion is the last one we go to for help. Hence why many will never accomplish what they set out to do for the new year. They will not produce the desired fruit. "For apart from me you can do nothing."

Here is the key to accomplishing those, "New Years Resolutions", Abide in the Vine in 09. "Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit."

Fresh, New and Different - It's Gods Will

Welcome to 2009. I wish Gods will this year for everyone. You can't go wrong if it's Gods will.

Church folks love the song, "It's a new season, it's a new day..." This year, I encourage all of you to step outside the box and discover all the possibilities in Christ Jesus, rather then the limitations of man made traditions. Do something fresh, New, and Different. This is Gods will.

Through out the Bible, from time to time, God would do something different, something fresh, something new.

Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans.
(John 4 : 7 & 9) NLT

In this scripture Jesus did something that was totally outside the box. Here He broke with tradition so that the Samaritan woman would be edified. So that her soul could be saved. So that she could partake in all of the possibilities that come from being connected to the vine. (Jesus) If Jesus would have stuck with traditions, it would have hindered Him from accomplishing His purpose. (To save those that or lost.)

Traditions have a history of being or becoming barriers or stumbling blocks. J. Lee Grady said it best, "if we want to reach our culture for Christ, we had better become willing to let go of the past. What worked 30 years ago has outlived its usefulness."

When we stick with traditions for traditions sake our thinking is limited. When Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman He not only went against Jewish tradition but He removed a man made barrier. The Church through out history has created man made barriers that conflict with it's purpose, winning souls. Certain Church traditions hinder the possibilities in your life and the lives of others.

In verse 10 Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water. In other words I would give you something fresh, new, and different.