Thoughts for the Weekend

Greeting friends,

I'm sorry that I have been posting late over the last few days. My family is preparing to move in a couple of weeks and I have been trying to tie up loose ends. Unfortunately, blogging suffers in the midst of all the "madness." Just to let you know how crazy things are - I will pack up my house next week into a truck on Friday, leave on Saturday to go to Alaska for an 8 day mission trip while my wife stays to close on homes, return on a Sunday to move on Monday. I'M O.K. (REALLY)!!

As we approach the weekend I want to share a quote with you that I just came across. "The worst methodology is usually 'build it and they will come' because lost people aren't looking for a cool church to attend. You have to rediscover your missionary calling as a church and then go into your lost community. Figgure out how to connect with them, bless them, and share Jesus with them."
- Robby Partain, DOM SBC of Texas

What an awesome statement and one that the church needs to hear. Listen, I'm all for having nice buildings to worship in but what is the real reason for the amount of money that we put into them? What's necessary and what is unreasonable? When I see where churches around the world meet for worship I'm reminded over and over again that the building is not the most important thing. What's important is who is inside. We can have the most modern building, state of the art equipment, comfortable seating, large foyers (some churches call them "mall areas"), and the like and still not be reaching our communities for Christ. The things that attracts people to our churches is the church (the community of believers inside).

Here at PBC we just finished a building project that has taken up a lot of time and resources. The building was needed, we have tried to maximize the space we have, and with all that being said I don't think we overshot. The building is common, the seating is comfortable, we have some nice equipment but it's the least of my worries. What matters is what goes on inside and outside the building. The church needs to be a community that is inviting to those on the outside.

I was just thinking the other day about the necessity of ministries that meet the needs of people. We have been doing a recovery ministry for about 6 months now and the impact it has had on our fellowship is amazing. The freedom that the people of God have experienced by being able to talk about their struggles, face their temptations, and to be in an environment that welcomes them without a mask is remarkable. I have come to understand that many churches do not do these types of ministries because it's not pretty. It's not pretty when you have to minister to drug addicts, alcoholics, those addicted to pornography, or those who are struggling in marriage. It's not pretty but it's what God has called us to do.

It's time for the churches to focus on the development inside without losing focus on the lostness outside. Yes, people in our churches need to be ministered to but those outside need to hear the gospel message of salvation in Christ alone. I believe that the church can and should do both.

This weekend I ask you to find someone who needs to experience the love of God. I will guarantee you this - you won't have to look very far. When you attend your child's ballgame, or when you are lounging at the pool, sharing with your scout group, or hanging with the family at the park - the opportunities are endless. Share with them, invite them, and become a believer that affects the lives of people that God has placed before you. In the end you will find that your walk with Christ has greater meaning and the people you affect will see that faith in Jesus is more than just a religious exercise.

May the Lord bless you over this weekend.