I’m wondering: how, as church planters, do we move people from unchurched to meeting in groups with others to discuss Jesus? In my city, it seems as if there is a HUGE dividing line between the unchurched and Pharisaical Christians (there are devout Jesus-lovers, but they are the minority, I think). The unchurched want nothing to do with anything Christian, although they love Jesus. I agree with Vince Antonucci in that we now have two barriers to the Gospel in Bible belt culture: the Cross and the “church” (lower-case ‘c’). So my question is this: what kinds of things are you doing to break the ‘church’ barrier?
Archive for September, 2007
Getting Past Hello
Thursday, September 27th, 2007A Psalm of Derek
Wednesday, September 26th, 2007When I first started following Jesus, I would write psalms as an act of spiritual discipline. I have since forgotten this practice…until today. I was sitting in Starbucks and I just started to write. Here’s what came out:
Why must I be thrown at the feet of Your mercy?
Can I not bow on my own?
No, indeed I cannot. Remind me, Lord, of Your
good favor.
Bring to memory what You have delivered
me from.
Call forth thoughts of yesterday from within
the very depths of my being.
Pierce my thoughts with the sharpened arrows
of Your abounding grace.
For You, my Redeemer, have brought me to my
knees.
I did not come on my own. I was bade,
yet I did not come.
I spit in the beckoning hand, yet it
remained open…until at last…
Your hand clutched at my heart, wrenching
it as dirty laundry.
Where I was once blind…I saw.
And to my knees I fell.
At last.
Thoughts?
Listen For Yourself
Monday, September 24th, 2007Don’t take my word for the latest in the revisionist-reforming discussion. Listen for yourself at the Convergent sessions are up now at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Here’s the link: SEBTS Media