Tag: Digging in Deeper

Woman writing in a journal beside a historic stone church and cemetery

Do You Even Want It?

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“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭CSB‬‬ – Read the chapter)

Other than the month of July, for the past seven Fridays we have been talking about different factors than contribute to church growth. None of them are guarantees. None of them in isolation from the others are likely to accomplish very much. Together these do not form an exhaustive list. I’ve read books on church growth before. Some of these things have been mentioned in those list, some of them have not. What this has been is a list of things that have contributed to the season of growth my church is currently experiencing. There are more we could probably talk about, but these have so far been the six that came to mind first. At the end of the day, though, real and sustainably growth happens because God directs it. Today we are going to end this series by talking about one last critical factor for any church thinking about growth: Do you really even want it?

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Hooded figure facing a digital city labeled POWER, PLEASURE, WEALTH, and KNOWLEDGE

A Path that Never Ends Well

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“At the window of my house I looked through my lattice. I saw among the inexperienced, I noticed among the youths, a young man lacking sense. Crossing the street near her corner, he strolled down the road to her house at twilight, in the evening, in the dark of the night. A woman came to meet him dressed like a prostitute, having a hidden agenda. . .She seduces him with her persistent pleading; she lures with her flattering talk. He follows her impulsively like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding toward a trap until an arrow pierces its liver, like a bird darting into a snare—he doesn’t know it will cost him his life. Now, sons, listen to me, and pay attention to the words from my mouth. Don’t let your heart turn aside to her ways; don’t stray onto her paths. For she has brought many down to death; her victims are countless. Her house is the road to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death.” (Proverbs‬ ‭7‬:‭6‬-‭10‬, ‭21‬-‭27‬ ‭CSB‬‬ – Read the chapter)

The Internet changed pornography forever. It made not only incredibly easily available, but it made it anonymous. Used to you had to go somewhere disreputable in order to gain access, risking being seen and outed for what you were doing. Now you have access to it anywhere at anytime. Solomon couldn’t have imagined the world we live in. But just because he couldn’t have imagined it doesn’t make his wisdom any less sound. In fact, it makes his warnings against getting involved with anything related to it all the more important to heed. Let’s take a look at his longest reflection on it.

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People greeting outside Grace Community Church beneath a Come As You Are sign

Creating a Welcoming Culture

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“So he told them this parable: ‘What man among yo, who has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open field and go after the last one until he finds it? When he has found it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, and coming home, he calls his friends and neighbors together, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep!” I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who don’t need repentance.'” (Luke 15:3-7 CSB – Read the chapter)

Have you ever been in someone’s home before where you knew you weren’t wanted? Maybe they didn’t say it out loud, but from the way they greeted you to the way they spoke to you once you were inside to even the state of the house, you knew. They made it abundantly clear. For people who have been a part of a church for very long, it can become an extension of their home. The other members are all brothers or sisters and they are one big family together. Because of this, when someone new comes in the door for the first time, it’s like they are walking into our home. How we receive them communicates whether or not we really want them there. And if we want our churches to be growing churches, we had better think long and hard about that reception. Today we are looking at the sixth ingredient in a growing church. Let’s talk about creating a welcoming culture.

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Community gathering with food, live music, and kids' activities outside St. Jude's Church

Community Rhythms

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“So the word of God spread, the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly in number, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith.” (Acts‬ ‭6‬:‭7‬ ‭CSB‬‬ – Read the chapter)

The neighborhood church is making a comeback. There’s just something good about a church that is an integrated part of its community. People know the church, and the church knows the people. When a need arises, everyone works together to meet it. Neighborhood churches aren’t necessarily big, but they are impactful. And they grow. It has been a few weeks, but today we are continuing with the fifth part of our conversation about the things that are contributing to the growth we are seeing happen in real time at my church, let’s talk about community rhythms.

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A balance scale held by a hand with dark and light elements on each side, glowing sword and book labeled 'JUSTITIA' in background

Love and Hate in God’s Good World

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“The Lord hates six things; in fact, seven are detestable to him: arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that plots wicked schemes, feet eager to run to evil, a lying witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up trouble among brothers.” (Proverbs‬ ‭6‬:‭16‬-‭19‬ ‭CSB‬‬ – Read the chapter)

I’ve been reading back through a book lately called, Gentle and Lowly, that makes the case for the gentleness and passion God has for people, and especially His people. Drawing on both New Testament and Old Testament sources alike, it’s a powerful exploration of the deep and passionate love of God—a love far deeper and more passionate than we can really imagine. Yet as great as God’s love for us is, as much as He is love, there are some things He hates. Solomon gives us a list of some of them here. Let’s take a look.

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