2009: A Year of Challenges & Changes

Some change for the sake of change. Some change to bring growth. Some change to shock others.

Viewing the world we live in ... change is based on challenges. Current trends in the US have brought about recent political changes. Technology is ever growing, so in that challenge change is ever occuring. Because our world is getting smaller (internet, satellites, cell phones, facebook, etc.), such challenges are making changes necessary.

This is absolutely true for the church as well. The Body of Christ is being challenged every day in the world we live in. Christ followers must be valid in such a challenging and changing world or no one will listen. Jesus was valid when he walked this earth. He still is today ... but the only Christ some will ever see are His followers. How valid are we? What kind of Jesus do we display? We should be dismayed that the only Jesus most ever see is a contentious, unkind, self-centered, group of religious nuts. THAT NEEDS TO CHANGE!

Walking and loving as Jesus did is what will draw others to Him in these challenging times. The genuine love of Christ moved people to change. People today know when love is superficial or fake. The genuine thing is necessary. Real love shows a real God.

Probably the greatest change needed for Christ followers is to see they don't exist for a few hours on Sunday. While gathering together is a vital practice, it is not the end-all. Living and loving like Jesus in our spheres of influence each and every day is our mission. Notice ACTS 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (TNIV) We act as if the verse says, 'You will attend church every single week'. So the CHALLENGE IS GREAT and CHANGE IS NECESSARY.

More discussions of "THE CHUCH HAS LEFT THE BUILDING" will be taking place at the BlackWater Cafe in Bristol, NH very soon. Watch this blog and your email inbox for more info. You can contact Mike at NorthPoint's email: npnet1@gmail.com.