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November 24, 2007
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=========================== TODAY'S ARTICLE ==========================
Thanksgiving and Walking the Boundaries, by Larry Davies
There is an annual custom in Switzerland called "walking the bound."
Everyone in the village takes a ceremonial walk around the boundaries
so they can check the markers. Afterward there is a celebration to
express gratitude for the blessings handed down to their community.
What a great way to enjoy Thanksgiving! Check your boundaries, line up
the markers and celebrate.
What are the boundaries of your church? How do you practice your faith?
If someone were to walk inside your church doors, what would they
discover? Does your church practice what it proclaims?
One study of successful churches discovered five ingredients common to
all of them:
1. The central focus is on prayer.
2. A strong emphasis upon Bible study.
3. Consistent lay testimony and involvement.
4. There is concern for the needs of others.
5. All of the members are in ministry.
Paul once gave this advice to a young preacher named Timothy:
Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives' tales.
Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual
fitness. Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise
is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life
and the next. This is true, and everyone should accept it (1
Timothy 4:7-9 NLT).
A church should pursue spiritual growth, ministry and leadership.
According to Paul, every church should emphasize "training for
spiritual fitness." How is your church doing? Obviously, I don't know
the answer but I can give you a few examples.
Emphasize spiritual growth:
There are many Christians looking for answers or looking for a Bible
study, a support group or prayer group. Offer a wide variety of
opportunities to strengthen people's faith whether they are just
beginning their Christian journey or well along the way.
Seek to be in ministry:
Are you involved in a ministry or serving on a committee? Replace your
many committees with teams, each with an emphasis on ministry: Here are
four examples -- see also the lists of spiritual gifts in the New
Testament for other ideas (Romans 12:3-8 for example).
1. Congregational Care includes prayer, health concerns, and
visitation.
2. Nurture includes Sunday school, Bible studies and age-level
ministries.
3. Ministry and Missions includes your ministry in the community and
around the world.
4. Administration keeps your church building, staff and finances
running smoothly.
Promote spiritual leadership:
Voting usually means somebody wins and somebody loses. Spiritual
leadership means helping everyone listen to the voice of God.
Experiment with basing decisions on consensus so that everyone has the
opportunity to contribute and everyone listens.
Offer continual encouragement:
Good churches welcome new ideas wherever they appear. Great churches
create a contagious enthusiasm of involvement and encouragement. Foster
an atmosphere of "spiritual boldness" believing if you are doing God's
will, anything is possible.
Specialize in comfort:
Ships lost in stormy seas seek light from a lighthouse to guide them to
the safety of the harbor. When visiting our church, you may notice
lighthouses everywhere to reflect our mission statement: "A Light to
Guide You Safely Home." We pray you will find comfort here.
Include fun and fellowship:
How often does your church offer a meal? Are there celebrations being
planned? Do you know how to have fun? Is joy a regular part of your
time together?
A church should pursue spiritual growth, ministry and leadership while
offering an atmosphere of encouragement, comfort, fun and fellowship.
Well, we've walked the boundaries and checked our borders and hopefully
discovered a lot to improve and much to be thankful for. Now, let's
celebrate!
---------
(c) 2007 Larry Davies < LarryDavies@SowingSeedsofFaith.com>,
Sowing Seeds of Faith <http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com>.
RELATED LINKS:
* The Leadership Issue
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200701/20070111_leadershipissue.html
* Leadership in the Jesus' Style
http://www.heartlight.org/feature/feature_970924_jesusstyle.html
* What is Leadership?
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200005/20000502_leadership.html
* Sowing Seeds of Faith
http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com
This article can be found on the web at:
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200711/20071124_boundaries.html
=========================== FEATURED PRODUCT =========================
VELVET ELVIS: REPAINTING THE CHRISTIAN FAITH, by Rob Bell
In this provocative, hopeful book, Bell asks what the church might look
like if today's believers fully embraced "the way" of love, peace,
sharing possessions, compassion, risk, forgiveness, and harmony.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?254
Find more great books, CDs and videos at the Heartlight store! With
each purchase you make, you're helping to support Heartlight's
ministry. Thanks SO MUCH for your help!
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