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10 Ways Jesus’ Church Growth Model Differs from Yours
Many church leaders contend that it’s necessary to adapt to culture. They see older conventions for planting a church and growing a congregation as outdated. However, Jesus was countercultural and counterintuitive. Therefore, it’s worth evaluating, as we do in today’s post, whether modern deviations from Jesus’ model for building a following (i.e. church) represent compromise to accommodate: The Shortcomings of … Read More
10 Popular Bible Verses Taken out of Context
The last straw for us was the sermon series immediately following Easter – “What Jesus’ resurrection gives to you”. My wife and I left the church before the end of the 6 week series. I think we made it through “Victory”, “Freedom”, “Power” and “Joy” before we could no longer stomach the concept that Jesus suffered and died to make … Read More
10 Words No Longer Heard in Church or Christian Music
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