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On this site, I want to provide you with information and resources to assist you in living an abundant life and carrying out effective ministry.
Feel free to contact me with your comments, suggestions or areas of special need.
Email me at [email protected].
Feel free to contact me with your comments, suggestions or areas of special need.
Email me at [email protected].
"Understanding Church Trauma -Ministering to Victims
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Featured Article:
"Major Concerns Facing the Church" - Part 1
I was a guest panelist at a regional church conference and the discussion question asked the participants to comment on what we thought were some of the greatest concerns facing the church today. I haved continued to reflect on this question and want to share some of my thoughts in this next series of articles.
The first concern I want to address is the issue of RELEVANCE. Is the church relevant to the lives of its members and to those communities in which our churches are located? The question of relevance suggests that what are about the business of doing as a church has a practical impact on people's lives. Does what we do and teach have any pertinence in the everyday challenges and needs of the people we are seeking to reach?
Jesus' ministry made a difference in the lives of people. In the beginning of his ministry while in a synagogue in Nazareth (Luke 4:16ff) Jesus reads from Isaiah 61: 1-2 which says, "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has annointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Jesus' ministry touched the poor, the prisoners, the blind and the oppressed. He taught eternal truths concerning subjects such as worry, marriage, money, the family, forgiveness, hope, priorities and other areas of life with which people struggle. He made a significant difference in their lives and addressed their key needs. There is no doubt that Jesus' ministry was relevant.
My concern is that many churches have lost their relevance. Here is a key question to evaluate the impact of your church: "If your church was not present, would it make any difference to anyone?
We'll continue these thoughts next time.
--Jimmy