The things I learned at my child’s Christmas program.

 As a pastor, life is a sermon illustration.  I’m always looking for great stories to “spice” up stories.   We went to Landon’s Christmas program at school last night! HE DID AWESOME!!!  It so fun to watch your kids “look for you” – and then the smile they get on their face when they finally see you!  Priceless.

 A couple of lessons or reaffirmations for me last night.

 #1 – people love their kids and will put up with GREAT inconvenience to see them.   It was PACKED OUT! Wow…  and people stood in the back, in the isles, against the wall for the opportunity to see their kids sing 1 song.   We love our kids… and they are a priority to us.

 The church should take the same approach.  We should be investing a GREAT deal in the next Generation!  Kids matter! Lets REACH THEM!

 #2 – A sad reality for myself.  I was in a packed auditorium with people who live within 5 miles of my home.  Granted a knew a lot of people… but most of the people I knew – were “churched” people.

 I got in the car and told Jeri – that’s a personal wake up call. If we are going to reach the lost – we have to KNOW them…   Last night I realized there are a lot of people in this community I don’t know.  The ones I do know… by and large are already saved!

  This Sunday we are talking about the “Three Wise Men” who came to find the Christ Child.  It’s going to be a GREAT Sunday!  See you there!

Yesterday I posted the questions I think the church should be asking…

What does the culture need the church to be? AND how do we do that in a Biblically faithful manner?

What do the unCHURCHED need us to be? And can we do that without compromising the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

What do the LOST people need from us and can we do that and still faithfully proclaim there is a God who loves you and has meaning and purpose for your life.  There is a God who doesn’t want you to go to hell – but you will if you don’t repent.

Here’s the problem I see – we don’t know what they need, because we don’t even know them.  We have lived our lives in a bubble of people just like us and in the process we don’t even have a clue what the culture around us needs us to be.  

In no way do I say we ever water down the Gospel.  Jesus NEVER did.  Yet, he realized the unreligious needed him and that is who he reached!

 Have a great weekend.

I swear I have the best job in the world. Everyday I get to play a part in advancing the kingdom of God!  I love being a part of the church. I have grown up in the church and I am so thankful.

This morning in my prayer time – I was praying about the church and for the church and it hit me, maybe we are asking the wrong questions.

(I love you, please keep that in mind!)  But some Christians are about to disagree with the rest of this post!  I’m afraid the church is asking too many of the wrong questions. Question like:  How do we keep people?  How do we close the back door and keep people from leaving?  How do we go deeper and keep people happy?

Those are great questions to ask, if you are looking to entice other Christians to your church.  We aren’t. We figure they have a church that needs them.  They have a role to play in making their current church better!  My heart is to reach someone who actually NEEDS Jesus.  People actually need the hope of the Gospel.

 So here’s the question I think we should ask:

What does the culture need the church to be? AND how do we do that in a Biblically faithful manner?

 What do the unCHURCHED need us to be? And can we do that without compromising the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 I’ll pick up right there tomorrow!

Have a great weekend.

Ever have an issue you just can’t get past?   I keep wrestling with one of those. How do you reach unCHURCHED People in a Christian Culture?

That is how I have come to describe Oklahoma.  Most people in our area classify themselves as an evangelical Christian. (something like 75%)  However, the majority of people who live in Oklahoma don’t attend church for some reason or another. Either they don’t have time or have been hurt, rejected by the church.  All those reasons are very real – and the church must deal with them.

Oklahoma culture is heavily influenced by the Christian community. Sure it’s not what it used to be, but compared to other parts of the United States – we live in the buckle of the bible belt!  So that presents a challenge for Christians trying to reach their neighbor, co-worker and unchurched friends.   We are a Christian Culture – yet the majority of folks don’t attend church.

I’m asking you today – take time to stop and pray a simple short prayer. “God what can we do to reach the unCHURCHED people around us?”

If God’s people will seek his face, I believe he will show himself faithful!