Over the summer, we have been working hard to develop a city-wide campaign to mobilize thousands of believers to live like Jesus and share His love. There is one thing for sure, many Christians today need to move from just believing in Jesus to behaving like Jesus. One of the priorities of Jesus was to live life beyond himself. This same lifestyle is so essential into becoming the Jesus follower He intended us to be. For many believers, trying to find ways to love on people seems complicated and intimidating.

Therefore we have put together hundreds of ways for ANYONE to get involved in making a difference in the lives of others. You will want to check out all the details to this great movement  at www.livelovemovement.com and see how you might get involved.   We are encouraging everyone, regardless of where the attend church, or for that matter, whether they attend at all, to find a way to get involved in touching the lives of thousands of needs in the Portland/Vancouver metro area.

Please take some time to add some comments to the site as well as share it with your Facebook and Twitter friends. I shared with the CBC family on Sunday night all the ways they could get involved.

Take a few minutes and watch the video below:

Live.Love SSN – for Marc Estes / Craig Wishart from City Bible Church on Vimeo.

“I GOT TIRED OF THE CHURCH ALWAYS ASKING FOR MONEY.”

We spend half our lives putting down cash or swiping our pieces of plastic for absolutely everything we consume. Yet, somehow we have this notion that church should be a place where we can get entertained, cared for, taught the Word of God, and served when we have trouble – but it should all come free. True, some churches, do a lousy job of the “ask,” or rather, the “check-out line.”  But if a church is wise, it will point out that giving a part of what you have back to God (who gave it to you anyway) is actually a way to thank Him for His provision.

Many churches also state that giving an offering (a monetary contribution you give when the basket gets passed) or actively tithing (committing ten percent of your income to the church) is an act of worship for those who call that particular church, “home.” As a visitor, you are not expected to participate at all unless you’d like to . That should remove some of the pressure, right? Churches sometimes do discuss monetary or budget issues during a service, mostly because it’s the one time everyone is there! (Kind of like calling a family meeting.) If you are not a member of the church, you’re actually welcome to tune out that portion of the service.

Once you become an active apart of a church, giving will become more natural to you as you feel the desire to give a part of what has been given to you back to the church. At any rate, you should give joyfully, never out of obligation. God loves a cheerful giver. He talks about money ALOT in the Bible, reminding us constantly that everything we have is provided by Him. Once we truly recognize this, we gladly share our resources. We also learn that taking money from the “worldly”  realm and investing it into God’s realm multiplies it in our own lives and in the Kingdom in ways that far exceed any investment bankers calculations! Remember the stories in the BIble  you heard years ago? You know, when Jesus took the loaves of bread and a few fish and fed thousands? That could not have happened if someone didn’t first offer to share what was in his lunchbox!

Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treaures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where theives do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart wil be also.”

A church can’t continue to thrive and carry out its mission without funding. Like any company or even non-profit, it needs resources to sustain it. The church is also unusual – it’s the only organization that exists for the benefit of those who are not yet members! Think of that. So if the church is to take God’s message to a hurting world and reach out to thousands who need Christ, the members – the family- have to help make it happen. They do this by sharing what God provides to them as individuals, so that the money can be used for God’s work of building the Kingdom.

Hopefully, these thoughts have helped everyone reading about the right people have to give to their church and for the church to ask for it!

This Fall, our church put together a promotion called, “Rediscover Church.” Our goal was to help those that had become disconnected with the local church get reacquainted with the idea that church matters. There are a variety of reasons why people no longer attend church. Many of their reasons are legitimate, but upon further reflection may need some reconsideration.

Outreach Magazine produced a campaign called, “Back to Church.” In their materials they developed a booklet that deals with the top ten reasons why people no longer attend church. I thought I would share a few with you over the next few posts.  Here is one of the main reasons why people no longer attend:

“I DON’T BELIEVE IN ORGANIZED RELIGION”

Popular culture is full of loose terms. Many people throw out “organized religion” without much thought. What exactly is “organized religion?” Perhaps it means that a governing body of sorts – a group of leaders or rulers – unilaterally determines what is and isn’t right for people. Or, maybe your understanding of the term is related to previous experience of denominational culture, the different way, “things are done” by Methodists, Presbyterians, Catholics, Baptists, and many more.

Let’s dig a little deeper into the term “organized religion” itself. The trouble is, church by its very nature has to be organized. “Religion” is the real issue. In fact, Jesus spent more time rebuking the Pharisees on this topic than anything else. The Pharisees were the “organized religion” of that time, and they had made it all about rules and do’s and dont’s at the expense of a realistic understanding of the love of God. (Yeah, I bet you still know some of them, right?)

The church of today still has its share of Pharisees. It’s sad, but true. Just like in government, you will always have somebody in every church that is too conservative, too rigid, and resistant to change. You’ve probably even worked with people who have a “my way or the highway” mindset, and of course, you are always on their wrong side, because you don’t measure up to their definition of what  you’re supposed to say, do, or be!

“Organized” religion is not really what it’s about; discovering God and meeting Him in the person of Jesus is what it’s about. sometimes this means rising above a few Pharisees you meet along the way.

So, what would dis-organized religion look like anyway? “Anything goes!” “Hey, buddy, if it feels right, it much be OK, right?” “Any way you choose is OK, as long as it make you feel good.” While these paradigms can seem freeing and easy to embrace at first, you’ve probably discovered that they deliver a pretty empty, unfocused life. You quickly find out why these attitudes are not what God desires for us.

Church are places where people, and their issues, gather. God purposely designed people to fine Him through an organized, imperfect group called the church. Otherwise, we can’t authentically share the truth of God, experience His love, connect with others who feel the same, and implement His way of living in an imperfect world. Yes, organized religion may be a faulty term, but organized churches really are essential to helping you find God again.

I am once again overwhelmed with the urgent need to let a world know that Christ loves them. There are thousands that drive by the coffee shop as I type, many who are in desperate need of a savior.  I am forever grateful for what God has done for me and in me. I am passionate about serving Him and His cause due to His amazing grace at work in my life.  I am sure you feel the same.

Unfortunately 95% of Christians will not share their faith. This surprising statistic should be the catalyst for each of us to really assess our daily opportunity to share the best news ever. Most of us have the desire to share, but simply get busy or our deterred by fear or intimidation. However, there is an incredible joy that is released when we break through the barriers of silence and share with those that need Him.

I wanted to resurrect seven important posts from over four years ago, and challenge you to take the seven day challenge. Read one post a day, pray about the principles and ask God to activate these truths in your life. I would trust that you might be more fruitful in sharing your faith next week. Here they are:

Day 1: Building Relationship is the Key.

Day 2: Be an Example

Day 3: Be Aware of Your Enemy

Day 4: Fervently Pray

Day 5: Meet their Needs

Day 6: Be Ready when the Opportunity Comes

Day 7: Have Faith

There are many varying views on the definition and importance of church.  There isn’t a day that passes where I don’t find myself baffled with the responses of people concerning this vital topic. As society continues to become increasingly secular, the need for Christians to understand the perceptions of the unchurched increase dramatically.  Statistics show that only 15% of those under the age of 35 have any Christian influence in their lives. Times have certainly changed.

I felt it was important to address this subject with the college students in my Personal Evangelism Class. After putting my thoughts down on paper, I felt it would be good to put them into the hands of anyone that would be interested in sharing with others, ‘why church is important and how to deal with some of the rebuttals from the unchurched.’

Here is a link to download the notes, and you can find them on my Resource Page as well.

Combatting Perspectives of the Church – web

I just finished speaking at a leader’s session at a conference in Romania, and many of the leaders there were challenged with the Word and wanted a copy of the notes for their review. I have developed a copy for the web and are posting them for your review. If you are interested, just simply click 0n below and enjoy.

Everyone Needs to Be Led – Web Version

Here are six practical steps I strive to keep in my life on a daily basis to maintain a harvest mindset:

1.   Possess It- You must contend for it, as it is not what you confess, but what you possess that counts.

2.   Pray It- Make it a daily part of your prayer life, and ask the Lord to stir you in evangelism. Take that opportunity whenever it presents itself to pray this over those in your leadership group as well.

3.   Discuss It- It has been said, “you get what you preach.” Take the time to discuss evangelism ideas in every meeting.

4.   Encourage It- People need constant encouragement, especially when it comes to evangelism. Encourage those in your group toward every evangelistic effort that is put forth.

5.   Assist It- Get involved whenever your church is hosting some form of outreach.

6.   Model It- Jesus led by example, we should do likewise. Look for opportunities to bring your friends and neighbors to your small group meeting as well.

I had the unique privilege of sharing with a young man who claimed to be a “White Magic – Calvinist – Jew.” To say that it was an interesting conversation would be a gross understatement. The good news is that I was able to lead this young man to Christ and get him plugged into the local church.  Other recent conversations seem to have some of the same undertones; people who have formulated their own definition of God and views about eternity.

Welcome to the twenty-first century!  The breakdown of absolute truth coupled with the erosion of Christian influence has paved the way to a new melting pot of religious views that have greatly impacted society, and our ability to reach those that need Christ. As a church leader, I am acutely aware of the fact that my approach to sharing the truth must radically change while still adhering to the timeless truth of the gospel; easier said than done.

Regardless of a person’s belief system or worldview, there are ten main pillars that we must continue to emphasize in our gospel approach.

 These are: (FREE TEACHING NOTES on this topic available on my Resource Page).

Pillar #1: Every person has a perception of Eternity

Regardless of religious persuasion, or lack thereof, every person has a perception of what Eternity might be. Those views may consist of; heaven, hell, reincarnation, a distant galaxy, or cease to exist.

Pillar #2: Absolute truth is the foundation to life itself

To a generation that believes that truth is relative, the need for establishing the foundation is the beginning point of sharing the gospel.

Pillar #3: The Bible is the foundation for all Truth

There is only one book that has ever stood the test of time as being 100% infallible. Establishing the Bible as the sole source of your message is vital to the presenting of any future principles.

Pillar #4: The nature and characteristics of God can be defined

God must be redefined back to His original description. Without elevating God to His rightful place in the minds of man, it is impossible to present the gospel with any sense of need or urgency.

Pillar #5: Sin is an absolute problem not a relative, narrow-minded concept

People must understand sin as “rebellion against God” and it’s affect on humanity in order to understand the immeasurable gap between themselves and God due to their own personal sin.

Pillar #6: Hope and unconditional love are available to those who seek God

Even in the midst of judgement, God provides a way of escape and the opportunity for a new life. This is key to reaching a generation without hope.

Pillar #7: The Cross remains as the central message of the Gospel

1. The message of the cross is the power of God unto salvation. The price that Christ paid for the sin of mankind must be clearly understood to make activate its power in a person’s life.
2. We need to not only give attention to the cross, but also his resurrection power, that he conquered death and hell.
3. There must also be the realization that Jesus is the only way, and no salvation is found in no other name.

Pillar #8: The only One who can truly fill needs and voids is God Himself

Society continues to look to everything but God to fill the immense holes in their life. The need for love, hope, peace, joy, purpose, acceptance and identity will only be found in God. This can only happen when people enter into a personal relationship with Christ. This too, is an important part of the gospel.

Pillar #9: Commitment to Christ is a life-long decision

People must understand the commitment of a life-long relationship before praying a prayer. Just as in a marriage, a couple must understand the cost before entering into a covenant relationship.

Pillar #10: Becoming a Fully Devoted Follower of Christ is the Goal

God desires disciples, not just decisions. The point of salvation marks the beginning of the journey, not the end. A key part of sharing the gospel is to assist people into understand the new life that has begun.

If you have ever led someone to Christ, you know the importance of follow up.  Leading someone to Christ just starts the process and having an effective strategy is important. A few years ago, I wrote a simple follow-up booklet that can be handed to someone after praying to receive Christ.

I thought you might enjoy this booklet and wanted to offer it to you to use in your church, ministry or personal experiences. You can download this on my Resource Page.  The file is called “The Road Ahead – Follow Up Booklet.”  Let me know if this works for you.