American churches eagerly accommodate Christians who have professed belief but have no intention of becoming disciples. In fact, churches have worked so hard to build an environment that will attract and retain nominal Christians (and non-believers) that nearly all have abandoned discipleship entirely, replacing intensive and personal mentoring with optional fellowship groups. The starting line (salvation) has become the finish … Read More
Are You Disturbed?
I doubt seriously if I am the only person to be confused and disturbed about things we see around us. I am horrified by the bizarre extremes of the sexual revolution being forced down our throats. At the same time those who would to some extent agree about that are proclaiming America first, which sounds to me like selfishness encoded … Read More
Orality Nexus: The Continuing and Growing Learning Journey in the Orality Movement
By Jerry Wiles, North America Regional Director, International Orality Network, President Emeritus, Living Water International, Special to ASSIST News Service HOUSTON, TX (ANS – June 2, 2017) — In a recent Orality Consultation and Advanced Training in East Africa, I was once again reminded of the power of networks and collaborative learning. The focus of this training was on … Read More
Prayer, Care, Share
The prayer-care-share model is super – and succeeding. To everyone using it. Bravo! As Lon Allison admits, however, it’s a lot easier to do the prayer and care part. The actual sharing of the gospel tends to get left behind. What will it take to uncork the life-changing, miracle-producing power of the church to share the gospel? We’ve found some … Read More
What Does Obedience Have To Do With Discipleship?
Everything. We spent the past few weeks walking through a series on “blind spots”, each of which qualify as disobedience. As we discussed, the Church in America today largely ignores or allows others to assume its God-given responsibilities to care for persecuted brothers and sisters, orphans, widows and the poor. The vision of church leaders became obstructed not unwittingly, but despite countless biblical examples and … Read More
Jesus Cares More about Widows and Single Moms than Your Church Does
No founder, leader or prophet of any other major world religion loves and values women as much as Jesus does. Throughout His ministry, He demonstrated His heart for widows and mothers… Defended Them – “They (religious leaders) devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.” (Mark 12:40) Praised Them – “Calling … Read More
The Children’s Ministry Doesn’t Replace Ministry to Children
Churches see youth who enter the building as their responsibility, but pay little attention to neglected children in the community. Scriptures are clear that “religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress” (James 1:27). Jesus healed kids, fed kids, raised kids from the dead, blessed them, prayed … Read More
Why U.S. Churches Turn a Blind Eye to Persecuted Christians
Today we begin examining blind spots obstructing the view of churches to responsibilities clearly spelled out in scriptures. Pastors and members alike gloss over selected verses, not seeing problems outside the church as their responsibility. Instead, a topic Jesus and Paul considered among the foremost indicators of our faith and salvation – our love for our persecuted brothers and sisters … Read More
Try this 33 Word Prayer!
Each time you pray in the coming week, begin by saying, “Lord, I want my prayer to be in the name of Jesus. Please let all I pray be motivated by Jesus, consistent with the heart of Jesus, and for the glory of Jesus.” If you are not confident your prayer reflects the will and desire of Jesus, slow down … Read More
Your 1-1-1 Prayer
In the coming month, try doing a 1-1-1 Prayer. This is something Lee Strobel taught at the Organic Outreach Conference we hold at Shoreline Church. The idea is simple. You pray for a person who is not yet a follower of Jesus. Commit to intercede for them and ask God to soften their heart, open them to the love of … Read More