Pastor’s Corner November 2009
Recently, I was able to go to a seminar sponsored by Thrivent with several members of Zion. Barb Holtz, Norm and Bev Gregory and Barb Edington made it to my home at 6:45 in the morning and we started on our journey to Plymouth, Michigan. The purpose of our trip was to see and hear the, ”Church Doctor,” Kent Hunter and to listen to his talk about the Mainline Churches and the way it has been operating in the, ”Maintenance Mode” for so many years. Kent Hunter says that 95%…. or most of the Churches have been focusing on just trying to save the members they have without being too successful in growing.
Kent Hunter referenced an author by the name of Phyllis Tickel who wrote a book called, “The Great Emergence:” How the Church is Changing and Why? She says that the church has experienced a hinge point in history every 500 years. The last one was the Protestant Reformation and about 500 years later here we are. Tickel says that every 500 years the church has a rummage sale, where it casts off cultural baggage that worked before, but has become a hindrance to the Gospel reaching new generations. Every 500 years, the Church reinvents itself. It’s hard to see history when you are in the middle of it. (Church Doctor Report Vol. 5 No. 3, July 2009)
There were many eye opening comments made at this seminar that would make your head spin. We were reminded as the Church and as Pastors to choose a strategy carefully to assist you in the coming years. This will not be easy. Please lift up this Church and your Pastor and pray for God’s leading and guidance as we move forward in the coming years.
Remember the Great Commission Matthew 28:16-20 (New International Version)
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
The bible reminds us clearly of our job as Christians to reach out to the world. Reach out to your neighbor, your brothers or sisters and family and INVITE them to attend Church. The most effective way to grow a Church is still by PERSONAL INVITATION from a friend or family member. NOW GO AND DO LIKEWISE.
God Loves You And So Do I……Pastor Ron.
Did You Know?
The United States is the THIRD largest Mission Field. China is number one and India is number three. Since 1975 there have been SIX Churches per DAY CLOSING in the US.
(Source–Kent Hunter the Church Doctor)