Wednesday, March 11th, 2009
I recently read a headline and an article that said, “Christianity on the Decline in America”.
I’d consider whether or not church attendance decline represents a decrease in Christianity or just a decrease in church involvement. From what I am hearing all around the country, solid Christians are discouraged about what the churches are doing and the lack of effectiveness in training, equipping and outreach in their emphasis.
Years ago, the typical church schedule included Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday nights for the average Christian family. This allowed for several times each week to emphasize the different aspects of the Christian life. I remember hearing that Sunday evenings were often called “church training”.
Today, most families’ schedules are so hectic, they primarily only go on Sunday mornings. Many churches emphasize reaching out to those who are lost or guests and lack the biblical training and equipping of Christians in the Sunday morning service. Some have Sunday small groups but these too are often lacking in equipping Christians for maturity and outreach – if the families attend at all.
All of this to say, many mature believers are standing back from their church involvement asking themselves why they are there. Some are leaving for smaller groups that are more focused on issues important to them and authentic connection with others for edification and challenging support.
I have personally seen more church “splits” than I can remember. These are often quarrels about the church structure or leadership vs. members. When the split occurs, there is a remnant that moves on to more powerful service, ministry, and personal growth. Typically 1/3 stays with the church organization, 1/3 moves on to a new work together and 1/3 wander around for a season not motivated to do anything. I wonder if God is allowing us to divide to get us out of our comfy places, the familiar daze of the moderate Christian life.
I heard a Christian leader say recently, “If we don’t change the way we do church, we will lose an entire generation”. I take this a little further and say we have already lost many and it is very important that we consider how we must change in order to be the powerful life changing entity that God intended us to be.
I pray that Christians will be more equipped each week for the ministry of the streets! We may find ourselves forced into smaller groups so we’d better get used to closer quarters and relationships.
Tags: Church, Church Decline, equpping, small groups, training
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Tuesday, March 10th, 2009
Come Walk with Me
by Sue DeRaad
“Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” Genesis 3:8-10Genesis 3:8-10
“Come walk with me.” Those life-filling words became the still small voice ushering in the hope that filled my heart as I read Genesis, understanding for the first time that relationship was offered to Adam and Eve even after the fall in the garden gave me hope. God, being fully aware of their sin, offered relationship to them. His heart and purpose for us from the beginning was His desire for relationship with us, knowing us and knowing us intimately! Adam and Eve, having sinned and also being very aware of their disobedience, hid! But there, in Genesis 3:8-10, God in His great love for his children called out, “Where are you?” He said this already knowing where they were.
I hid too after my affair, so ashamed, yet feeling entitled to what little happiness I could find. After all, my husband hadn’t pursued me for years. He was hiding as well, in the snare of his own addiction. I felt ashamed and abandoned, so I chose to hide in a life that looked perfect, where no one would find me. But God knew where I was all along; He never gave up on me. He kept calling me to join Him, but I was afraid to come out. I didn’t want him to see the fig leaves I had attached to myself.
I hid in the shell of a woman who lived the part well. The “Godly” wife, a wonderful mom, a supportive daughter, a sister of three, active in our church and I (we) never lacked for friends. Our children were popular and active in sports. I appeared to have it all. Don’t get me wrong, I never saw my identity as false…I lived it so well that even I didn’t know that it wasn’t real! Is that called “denial?”
As a woman, I have a unique need for relationship and I have tasted and know that true intimacy with God is good! It is my desire to speak love, forgiveness and hope for a healthy and fulfilling future to both women and couples. Please meet me at Grace Rivers and let’s learn together. Come walk with me into a journey of exploring who we really are. Let me extend a hand as God pulls us out together from that hiding place that feels so safe. Do you hear His voice? Don’t worry if you don’t-you will-because He is calling you to “Come walk with me, my precious daughter.”
This journey will require stepping into the light as He lifts you up. Let me hold your hand along the way. We’ll take new steps together as you make your way back to yourself and the relationship God so longs to share with you.
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Tags: Sue DeRaad, Women
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