Your Church May Have A Problem.

Every week millions of Americans take time out of their busy schedules to visit a movie theatre and watch the latest releases that will do everything from take viewers on an emotional roller coaster to provoke a range of intellectual reflections. I think it’s safe to assume that a great deal of thought goes into the production, scripting, and casting of a movie, but more importantly it is clear that everyone must know their role.

The producer knows what they’ve got to do. The sound engineers know their responsibilities. Each casting member learns and memorizes their part. Because of this clarity, we are able to sit and enjoy a creative masterpiece. Ultimately, we’re able to leave having had an enjoyable experience.

This was Jesus’ original idea when He founded His baby, the church. He wanted people to be able to come and enjoy a creative experience. He wanted that experience to be so compelling and fulfilling that it would encourage them to not only want to get involved with it, but invite others to participate as well.

1 Corinthians 12: 14 (Amplified), “For the body does not consist of one limb or organ but of many.”

Here’s where the problem exists. While there is the potential and possibility of an amazing encounter, someone confuses what his role is in the entire process.

I agree with others that offer the notion that this confusion is satanically driven. But I also believe that maybe somewhere someone was not given a clear understanding of what their role really is. Interestingly enough, a lot of the confusion and frustration that comes along with being involved in one of the most powerful institutions ever created can be easily solved if I know how to maximize my purpose within it.

1 Corinthians 12: 15-21 (Amplified) reads, “If the foot should say, Because I am not the hand, I do not belong to the body, would it be therefore not [a part] of the body?”

If my singing skill level matched my desire, I would currently be one of the most recognizable voice professionals (singers) in the world. Because God seemingly didn’t grant that as one of my proficient skills, I have decided to become the best at what He’s designed me to be. If I maximize that role, I am a blessing and benefit to the body of Christ. I then become a part of this creative experience that leaves individuals in awe of the awesomeness of God and His creation.

If for some reason you are not clear on your purpose, you’ve decided to run from your purpose, or choose not to engage your gifts and talents, your church has a problem—it’s you. Your church needs and deserves you. It is impossible for you to maximize who God has called you to be if you are not active in a local church.

Let’s solve the problem today. If you commit to making the most of whom God has created you to be in your local church, you’ll find that you’ll live on a different level and with a different perspective. This is not simply committing to be busier or doing more stuff, this is deciding that you’re going to be the best you can be. When you do that, God will expand your living. Not only will your life change, but your involvement will help change the lives of others.

I may be too optimistic, but I believe that many of today’s problems can be reduced by the local church. We are Jesus’ representatives in the earth. There are millions waiting for the rich, rewarding, and enjoyable experience that the local church can offer. The local church can and should offer solid relationships, personal growth, intellectual development, spiritual growth, opportunities to impact their world, and most importantly, an opportunity to worship the true and living God. Give someone else a movie ticket; it’s time to fill up the theatre!

By
Overseer Christopher J. Harris

Why Go To Church?

Did you know Jesus attended church? This is something we do not hear about often, but it is true. If we want to follow and imitate Jesus, then we must follow His example.

Jesus made it a custom to attend temple services. Once, when He had wandered away from His parents as a child, He was later found in the temple. When Mary and Joseph finally located Him, His explanation for His disappearance was, "… How is it that you had to look for me? Did you not see and know that it is necessary [as a duty] for Me to be in My Father's house and [occupied] about My Father's business?" (Luke 2:49, AMP) As an adult, if you were looking for Jesus, one place you would definitely find Him was teaching in the synagogue.

In everything God tells us to do, we have a choice whether to obey Him or not. Hebrews 10:25 says, "Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another…" (AMP). He has commanded through His Word that we should gather together with other Believers in a corporate setting.

Notice God said some forsake this practice. This simply means they ignore it and turn away from it. Why does God take this so seriously? Because gathering together with other Believers in church allows us to connect with others to receive strength and encouragement. When we come to church, we learn how to apply the Word of God to our lives to overcome the things we go through. We receive the wisdom we need to live victoriously in our everyday lives.

If you are a Christian, you are part of the Body of Christ. Give honor to God by obeying His Word with a willing and obedient heart. Consider the wonderful things God has done for you! Come into His presence in a corporate setting to give Him thanks and to encourage a brother or sister in Christ. You can help change someone's life forever by inspiring them to make Jesus their Lord and Savior. Allow your enthusiasm for the kingdom of God to overflow into the lives of others.

God wants you to desire His presence and have joy when you are in His house of worship. Follow the example of this ardent psalmist, who with a fervent heart toward God proclaimed, "How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of host! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and flesh crieth out for the living God …O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah" (Psalm 84:1—4).

Just reading that scripture stirs me up inside! You will be amazed at how blessed you will be when you have this much joy about experiencing the presence of Almighty God. To help you get more understanding about the importance of coming to church, be sure you order the message, Faithfulness in Church Attendance, and decide today to be a joyful, zealous, church attendee!

By
Dr. Creflo A. Dollar

Not A Building, Not A Gathering

Traditionally we’ve used the word “church” in a number of ways. For instance, we say “I went to church today...” or “We had some good church today.” I mean come on, many of us grew up saying those very things. We’d use the word “church” to define either a physical location or any religious gathering. Better yet, like me, you probably still use the same terminology today.

While most individuals clearly understand what is meant by making these statements, using this very powerful word in this manner not only takes it out of context, it also dilutes its power and meaning. The church is not a building, nor is the church merely a gathering. The church is more about people than anything else. Definitively the word itself means “The Called Out...” (Ekklesia). That’s a powerful statement! The church is not a building, but rather is a “called out” people.

Think about it, do you think that God would have given His only son for a building, song or program? Not at all! “For God so loved the world (dying and lost people) that HE gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in HIM shall not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). The church has one common set of beliefs. If you’ve confessed Jesus as Lord of your life and believe that God raised Him from the dead, this belief and confession alone now makes us...“The Church.”

As you can see it was all about the people. If we take an honest introspective look and ask ourselves the question, “Is it more about us, our breakthrough, or our blessing, than it is about those that are lost and in darkness?” I believe that’s a question that the church must wrestle with during this season (both individually and corporately). If our goal is to reach and disciple the lost soul for the glory of God, than why is it not happening on an even broader scale than it is? Have we gotten off focus? Have we begun to drift from our missional priorities? Have we gotten more consumed with ourselves than those who stand in need of our Savior? More now than ever the “mobile” church is needed. The church is needed on your job, in your community, within your family, at the corner store, in the homeless shelter... the Church is needed.

Romans 12:5 declares that we “the church” are one body in Christ—many members, yet one body. If the church rises up and begins to shift its focus to the lost, then maybe the glory of God can be seen in a way that this world has never seen before. Will you do your part?

By
Darius Wise

How To Prop Up A Sagging House

Not long ago, a friend of mine had a minor disaster at her house. Years of pressure caused the foundation wall in their basement to cave in. In just minutes, the basement was filled with dirt, mud and water. That was bad enough, but the worst was yet to come. The loss of stability to the foundation wall caused floors to buckle and sheetrock and plaster to crack on that side of their house.

In hearing about my friend's experience, I found out there are people who make their living repairing the kind of damage done to sagging houses when a foundation wall gives way. They come in and jack up the house and then replace the failed foundation with one that will not give way. They can literally give a house a new foundation.

I didn't know that. I guess I always thought that you had one shot at building the foundation -- when you first build the house -- and if the foundation failed, the house was pretty much a goner.

What a wonderful illustration of what God can do! If our lives are built on a faulty foundation, God can replace it with a firm foundation -- Jesus Christ. If your family is built around a foundation that fails, God can replace it with the Solid Rock.

What about your church? Jesus Christ is, as the hymn writer put it, "The Church's One Foundation." He is the Rock that will not fail and cannot be moved. But, as most of us have observed at one time or another, it is possible to try to build a church on shifting sand.

Is your life built around relationships and material goods? They will come and go. Is your family built on the world's value system? It will change. Is your church built around the fellowship you share and the people who attend and lead? People will let you down, but Jesus will never fail you.

Is your house sagging? I know someone who specializes in propping up sagging houses and giving you a new foundation! Let Him do that in your life, your family, your church today!

By
Alan Riley

What Do You Want?

Have you ever thought about the kind of church you want? Some will say they want a church that is climatically controlled, not too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter; or a church that is environmentally inspiring and aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

There are those who will say they want a church where people’s actions and attitudes don’t turn you off at the door or where people act like you are doing them a favor just by being there.

Some may want a church that makes them feel comfortable and one that is sensitive to their needs; a church that doesn’t insult a person’s intelligence, talk down to them or water down the gospel. Many want a church where the spirit is high, love abounds and attitudes are checked at the door; a church where people are pleased when you are present and miss you when you’re absent. Certainly, most want a church where the authority of Jesus Christ is respected as well as its membership.

Who wouldn’t want a church that knows how to welcome strangers and transform them into friends and disciples of God? A church that prays for the leading of the Holy Spirit and for a vision to guide its ministry?
It is important to know what kind of church you want, but it is also important to know what kind of church God wants.

The Acts of the Apostles give us a glimpse and a profound understanding of the nature and mission of the church. This epistle tells of a church that is pleasing to God. It is not a perfect church, but a pleasing church that distinguished itself beyond aesthetics and physical structure. It was a church filled with forgiven imperfect people. Often it is our expectations of perfection that get in the way of the church that is pleasing to God.

In the book of Acts, we find a church that was growing, and amazingly adding new disciples daily. A church that shared, that worshipped and sat at the teaching of the apostles, and that went from house to house sharing the gospel.

A need arose in chapter six that required the church to better manage its resources in a new and orderly manner. The Greeks began to murmur and complain about how their widows were being treated compared to the Hebrew widows. There was a hint of favoritism – one group was favored over another. It hinted at prejudice or seeing to your own ethnic group or family outside their circles of close associates.

The disciples called a church conference. The murmuring was getting out of hand. People were possibly gossiping more about the situation than they were listening to the gospel.

They decided to change their method of handling the ministry. The administrative structure hinders seeing the needs of all groups of people. They decided to have a division of labor because the work of word, worship, prayer and evangelism was too important for them to stop and supervise a feeding program.

They chose those who were wise and full of the Holy Spirit, and empowered them to exercise their gifts.

The kind of church seen then was where everyone is important in the sight of God regardless of family affiliation, ethnic group, history or heritage. It was a church that takes care of the needs of people fairly without prejudice, and a church where leaders take action before a problem becomes a crisis. It was a place where people are not afraid of change.

The church seen in the first few verses of Acts 6 is one where the love of Christ flowed to be a healing and a help to the surrounding community. This church was a place where its leadership was serious about the ministry of word, worship, prayer and evangelism that would guard against intrusion.

What kind of church? It was the kind of church where God’s presence was felt and God’s power was seen. It was a place where loads were lifted, burdens born, and sustenance and strength were given.

What kind of church do you want? That may be the wrong question. The question is, what kind of church does God want? The blueprint is found in Acts 6 and God can work through you to manifest high glory in the church where you are planted.

By
Bishop Vashti McKenzie